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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European Approval for UK-Discovered Prostate Cancer Drug
Abiraterone acetate, a drug that extends life for men with advanced prostate cancer and was developed at the ICR and The Royal Marsden Hospital, has today been approved for use throughout Europe.
Vital Funding Continues for Cancer Research
The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, and academic partner, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), have been successful in their bid to retain their status as the UK’s only Specialist Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) for Cancer.
Cancers Generate Muscle-Like Contractions to Spread Around the Body
Professor Chris Marshall and colleagues have discovered that a protein called JAK triggers contractions in tumours that allow cancer cells to squeeze though tiny spaces and spread, raising the possibility of new drugs that could stop metastasis.
Preclinical Development Candidate Selected for Chk1 Inhibitor Programme
The ICR, specialist cancer drug discovery business Sareum and Cancer Research Technology Limited are pleased to announce the selection of a preclinical development candidate from their joint research collaboration.
Scan Predicts Chemotherapy Benefit After Just One Cycle
Scientists at the ICR and The Royal Marsden have developed an advanced type of MRI scan that can detect whether late-stage ovarian cancers are responding to chemotherapy treatment after just one cycle, which should help doctors decide whether to continue or alter treatment.
Landmark Ovarian Cancer Discovery as Scientists Unveil High Risk Gene
ICR scientists have made the most significant ovarian cancer gene discovery for more than a decade, finding women who carry a faulty copy of a gene called RAD51D have almost a one in 11 chance of developing the disease.
First Encyclopaedia of Breast Cancer’s Weaknesses
Pioneering scientists at the ICR's Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre have created the world’s first encyclopaedia of genes that drive breast cancer. It is hoped that new targeted treatments leading directly from this work will be in clinical trials in the next few years.
Genetic Link to Rare Brain Tumour Discovered
ICR scientists have conducted the first whole-genome scan of the brain tumour meningioma and revealed a genetic region that increases the risk of developing the disease.
ICR Scientist Receives Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Prize
Professor Chris Marshall has been named as the recipient of this year’s Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Prize.
Life-Extending Prostate Cancer Drug in Sight for UK Men
The ICR and The Royal Marsden welcome the European pharmaceutical regulator’s recommendation that abiraterone acetate, trade name Zytiga™, be approved for use in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Cancer Research UK Invests in Future World-Leading ICR Scientist
Cancer Research UK has awarded Dr Claus Jorgensen from the ICR a prestigious award as part of a series of grants given to new investigators who are set to become the eminent cancer scientists of the future.
Projects Launched to Crack the Cancer Code
The ICR is leading a project to create the most comprehensive genetic map of prostate cancer yet assembled, which will transform our understanding of the disease and pave the way to better and more targeted treatments. A second project aims to identify genetic faults driving oesophageal cancer.