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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Human colon cancer cells with the cell nuclei stained red and the protein E-cadherin stained green.
Advanced bowel cancers have very few ‘molecular flags’, hindering immune recognition

18/11/19

Advanced bowel cancer cells have very few ‘molecular flags’ on their surface, helping to explain why they may be hard for the immune system to detect, a new study has shown.
Colour-enhanced image of breast cancer cells
Scientists discover change in cell logistics that helps cancer become resistant

14/11/19

Researchers have uncovered a potential cause of sustained resistance to hormone therapy in the most common form of breast cancer.
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Men over 40 with BRCA2 gene fault ‘should get regular PSA screening’

05/11/19

Guidelines should change so that all men over the age of 40 with faults in the BRCA2 gene should be offered regular PSA testing to detect early signs of prostate cancer, experts are urging.
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ICR and The Royal Marsden form part of new radiotherapy research network after receiving major new funding

04/11/19

A new radiotherapy network will unite seven centres across the UK to pioneer the use of the latest technologies, creating a global hub for radiotherapy research.
Professor Chris Bakal speaking at The Discovery Club 2019 547x410px
ICR celebrates major donation from CRIS Cancer Foundation at exclusive supporter event

24/10/19

At our recent Discovery Club event, members thanked CRIS Cancer Foundation for their donation of £1.4 million to support immunotherapy research at the ICR.
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How ICR researchers are leading the way in breast cancer research

23/10/19

In Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rose Wu looks at some of the recent research breakthroughs by breast cancer researchers at the ICR
Blood vessels illustration. Photo credit: Inozemtsev Konstantin/Shutterstock.com
Drug blocking blood vessel growth could treat rare sarcomas

16/10/19

An experimental targeted drug could treat a rare type of cancer usually affecting the limbs, a clinical trial led by The Institute of Cancer Research has shown.
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ICR researchers working with Imperial College London to investigate medical cannabis for cancer and acute pain

15/10/19

Imperial College London researchers are trialling cannabis-based medicinal products for the treatment of cancer and acute pain. The researchers are collaborating with medical cannabis company EMMAC Life Sciences and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to better understand the effectiveness of the products.
MRI of breast cancer
Imaging tumour stiffness could help enhance treatment for breast and pancreatic cancer

11/10/19

Using a non-invasive imaging technique that measures the stiffness of tissues gives crucial new information about cancer architecture and could aid the delivery of treatment to the most challenging tumours, new research shows.
Pictures of ICR staff who had case studies that featured in our Athena SWAN report
New Athena SWAN Silver Award recognises ICR’s work on diversity and access to opportunities

10/10/19

The ICR is celebrating the work of all our staff and students in creating an open, diverse and fully inclusive environment, with the award of an Athena SWAN Charter Silver Award for 2019-23.
Breast cancer cell timelapse
New evolution-busting drug overcomes resistance in aggressive breast cancers

05/10/19

A new type of drug that blocks one of cancer’s key evolutionary escape routes from chemotherapy could be used to treat aggressive breast cancers, a new study has shown.
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ICR forms collaboration with AI drug discovery company to develop new possible treatments in rare childhood cancer DIPG

03/10/19

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research are working with Healx, a biotech company specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) to discover new possible ways of treating diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an essentially untreatable brain cancer in children.​