Cancer discovery news

Our researchers are making the discoveries that defeat cancer. Read the latest findings from our world-leading research.

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Measles virus improves radiotherapy treatment

11/07/13

A new combined treatment using the measles virus to target cancer could greatly improve bowel and head & neck cancer treatment, say ICR researchers
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New tumour tracker could target moving lung tumours as patients breathe

09/07/13

A new, targeted approach to radiotherapy could improve treatment of lung cancer by tracking a tumour’s movements as patients breathe in and out.
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Scientists identify new genetic driver for breast cancer

05/07/13

An over-active gene called GNAS may help drive the growth of some types of difficult-to-treat breast cancers, ICR scientists have found.
Staff nurse playing with a young boy in hospital. He is undergoing treatment for a childhood cancer. Wellcome Images 2007, Creative Commons by-nc-nd 4.0
Designing precision drugs for children’s cancers

04/07/13

Over the last decade, advances in technology have triggered an explosion in our knowledge about the biology of adult cancers – but we know far less about what causes cancers in children.
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High quality of our clinical trials confirmed

03/07/13

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has successfully retained its status as one of the UK’s specialist centres for designing and running clinical trials.
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Clinical trial tests new combination treatment for advanced prostate cancer

03/07/13

Scientists hope to reverse resistance that can develop to the next-generation prostate cancer treatment abiraterone by combining it with a promising experimental treatment, and believe the combination also has potential when given at an earlier stage to prevent resistance developing.
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Breast cancer patients with gene fault at increased risk of disease returning

03/07/13

Women with breast cancer who have inherited a damaged version of a gene called CHEK2 are at increased risk of dying from the disease, a major new study reports.
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The promise of immunotherapy - and bridging the funding gap

03/07/13

The ICR's Professor Paul Workman, has featured in a BBC Newsnight investigation into promising new cancer treatment approaches including immunotherapy – and the financial stumbling blocks that could stop these advances reaching patients.
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New breast cancer test will help women avoid unnecessary chemotherapy

01/07/13

A new genetic test for breast cancer will help identify those women who should be considered for chemo, and those who can avoid it, say ICR researchers.
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From caterpillars to cancer

26/06/13

How researchers are beginning to exploit the mysterious phenomenon of epigenetics
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Reaction to the Comprehensive Spending Review

26/06/13

The ICR's Chief Executive, Professor Alan Ashworth, comments on the potential impact of today's budget announcements on scientific research in the UK.
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New national guidelines on breast cancer screening

25/06/13

Read our response to today’s launch by NICE of new national guidelines on familial breast cancer, which expand access to BRCA testing.