Cancer discovery news

Cancers affecting a specific site are not single diseases, but rather a collection of diseases caused by alterations of distinct genes and molecular networks. Technological developments in the last decade have led to an increase in our understanding of which of these are required for cancer cells to grow and survive.

Professor Alan Ashworth, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, comments on the announcement that vemurafenib (Zelboraf) has been recommended by NICE for NHS patients with advanced malignant melanoma and a mutated BRAF gene.

Scientists have developed a computer system that can automatically analyse images of breast cancer cells to look for telltale signs that the tumour will be aggressive. The technique, details of which were published this week in Science Translational Medicine, could be used to give women with breast cancer a more accurate prognosis and help tailor their treatment accordingly.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has an outstanding record of achievement going back over 100 years, and has been involved in some of the most important discoveries in the history of cancer research. But we need to do more to promote ourselves within the UK and globally to ensure we maintain our position as one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes. Our new branding is an important part of our identity, and is designed to help get across to our various audiences the world class nature of our science, and its benefits for patients.

Doubts over the best standard treatment for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma have been put to rest thanks to a large international, randomised clinical trial led by a scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

Scientists have designed a blood test that reads genetic changes like a barcode – and can pick out aggressive prostate cancers by their particular pattern of gene activity.

The Fibonacci sequence and images inspired by science and medicine feature prominently in a bold rebranding of The Institute of Cancer Research, London. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, and its new visual identity is intended to help it develop the profile to match.

The Institute of Cancer Research will be the main charitable beneficiary of an innovative multimillion pound investment fund.

A new-generation cancer drug could shrink prostate tumours that have spread to patients’ bones and help to relieve bone pain, trial results suggest.

Professor Paul Workman discusses the issues facing the pharmaceutical industry – and the role that non-profit and academic organisations like the ICR can play in driving drug discovery progress – in a BBC Radio 4 special.

Distinguished ICR scientist Professor Philip Lawley died recently at the age of 84. His former ICR colleague Dr Stan Venitt, Emeritus Reader in Cancer Studies, reflects on an accomplished and dedicated man who gave the world the first convincing evidence that DNA damage was the basic cause of cancer.

The annual ICR Scientific Image Competition provides our scientists and students an opportunity to share the importance of their research through the visual means of images gathered during the research process. Looking at the winning entries in this year's competition, it is hard not to feel that you are viewing artwork.