Cancer discovery news

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Long-term safety of radiotherapy in fewer doses for patients with early breast cancer demonstrated in 10-year study

14/07/20

A lower total dose of radiotherapy delivered in fewer but larger doses is as safe in the long term as breast cancer radiotherapy courses giving multiple small doses, according to the final results of a 10-year study.
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Urgent call to kick-start life-saving cancer research so cancer patients don’t get left behind

14/07/20

Scientists researching new treatments for cancer patients are calling for urgent support to ensure the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis does not damage long-term progress to defeat the disease.
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Researchers reveal discovery of new cancer drug fadraciclib

13/07/20

Scientists have revealed details of the discovery of a new cancer drug that could be used to treat a range of cancer types, including some blood cancers and solid tumours.
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Lung cancer in non-smokers likely to respond differently to treatment

09/07/20

Lung cancer in non-smokers is a biologically distinct disease from that in smokers, according to a new study. Researchers also found it has characteristics that mean it could be targeted with tailored treatments.
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‘Reprogramming’ immune cells could switch defence into attack to treat prostate cancer

02/07/20

Drugs that can ‘reprogramme’ immune cells from protecting cancer to attacking it could be an effective new treatment for some men with advanced prostate cancer, a new study shows.
Virtual Terry Fox Run launches in the UK in aid of the ICR

01/07/20

A virtual run has been launched in the UK inspired by a prominent Canadian cancer research activist, to raise money for the Institute of Cancer Research, London.
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Scientists expand understanding of how DNA is organised

01/07/20

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have uncovered new information about vital structures inside cells which are responsible for organising our DNA.
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MRI scan used for heart disease could also pick out aggressive cancers

29/06/20

A type of smart MRI scan used in people with heart disease could help assess whether children’s cancers are especially aggressive and spot early signs that targeted treatments are working, a new study suggests.
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Men in England and Wales miss out on abiraterone as first-line treatment for advanced prostate cancer

26/06/20

The ICR has expressed disappointment at the decision by NICE not to recommend abiraterone as a first-line treatment on the NHS for newly diagnosed, advanced prostate cancer.
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Drug used in breast and ovarian cancer could lead to safer, more effective treatment for neuroblastoma

25/06/20

A type of drug known as a PARP inhibitor, already used to treat breast and ovarian cancer, may be useful in treating children with high-risk neuroblastoma – a common childhood tumour with a low survival rate.
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Breast cancer drug capivasertib enters major trial

24/06/20

A major phase III trial of capivasertib, a cancer drug discovered following collaborative work between The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and partners, has begun in breast cancer.
Dispensing medicines for a clinical trial (Jan Chlebik/the ICR)
New class of precision medicine strips cancer of its DNA defences

22/06/20

A new precision medicine targeting cancer’s ability to repair its DNA has shown promising results in the first clinical trial of the drug class.