Cancer discovery news
Our researchers are making the discoveries that defeat cancer. Read the latest findings from our world-leading research.
Visit our main news hub to read about news on new funding, our fundraising activities and much more. If you want to keep updated on our news, you can follow us on social media or sign up for our Search newsletter.
If you’re a journalist and want to find out more, you can contact our media relations team.
First stage study finds potential new drugs for childhood cancer
Scientists at the ICR have made a step towards new targeted drugs for children with the highest-risk form of a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.
Video: New targeted drugs for childhood cancer pass first hurdle
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have made huge progress towards testing two new targeted drugs for children with the highest-risk form of a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. Pre-clinical study results show that the growth of cancerous neuroblastoma cells with an overactive MYCN gene were disrupted after treatment with two Aurora kinase inhibitors called MLN8054 and MLN8237. Dr Louis Chesler, who co-led of the study, tells us more about the difficulties in treating neuroblastoma, and how these new drugs may be used to treat children.
Testing micro-RNAs could aid myeloma diagnosis
Tiny pieces of genetic material called micro-RNAs – miRNAs for short – could help improve diagnosis in people with myeloma, a study at The Institute of Cancer Research, London has shown.
New research sheds light on treatment-resistant breast cancers
ICR scientists have identified a new way of treating breast cancers that could overcome their resistance to a vitally important class of cancer drugs.
Virus combines with radiotherapy to kill cancer cells
A virus strain used to vaccinate people against smallpox could significantly improve treatment of aggressive skin cancer, an ICR study reports.
‘Next generation’ cancer drug shows promise in early trial
A new potential cancer drug has shown promising results in an early stage clinical trial. The drug, called AUY922, could help lead to a new way to treat a wide range of cancers including breast and lung cancer
Chemistry, computers and cancer drugs
Drug discovery is a complex business – particularly in a field like cancer, where new-style treatments are increasingly aimed at specific molecular features of tumours.
Genes help shape-shifting skin cancer cells to spread
Scientists at the ICR have identified a set of genes that allow melanoma cells to change rapidly between two shapes in order to escape from the skin and spread around the body.
Supreme Court of the United States ruling on gene patenting
The ICR's Chief Executive Professor Alan Ashworth has made a statement regarding gene patenting in advance of an upcoming Supreme Court decision.
Mechanism of cell cycle regulation molecules revealed
Key insights into the workings of regulatory molecules that are implicated in the development of solid tumours have been revealed by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
New cancer drug shows impressive results in patients with BRCA mutations
A new potential cancer drug designed to fight tumours with faulty BRCA genes has generated impressive responses in an early-stage clinical trial.
ICR researchers present at global cancer conference
Researchers from the ICR will be presenting their findings at the 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, which opens today in Chicago.