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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Biopsy of lung adenocarcinoma tissue
Blocking energy production could help treat lung cancer where chemotherapy has limited effect

12/06/18

Targeting an enzyme that helps cells to generate energy could trigger cell death and be a way to treat some forms of lung cancer, even where the effect of chemotherapy is limited.
Prostate Gland
Prostate cancer DNA test identifies men with six-fold increased risk

11/06/18

A major new study of more than 140,000 men has identified 63 new genetic variations in the DNA code that increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Abiraterone pills
The ICR responds to decision by NICE not to recommend abiraterone as first-line treatment for advanced prostate cancer

06/06/18

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has expressed disappointment that the prostate cancer drug abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) will not be made available to men with advanced prostate cancer as a first-line treatment on the NHS.
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Stunting cell ‘antennae’ could make cancer drugs work again

05/06/18

Scientists have uncovered a completely new way to make cancers sensitive to treatment – by targeting antenna-like structures on cells.
Prostate Cancer Rosetta Stone (Mateus Crespo/Prof Johann de Bono, the ICR)
ASCO 2018: Major trial is first to show benefits of immunotherapy in some men with prostate cancer

02/06/18

A major clinical trial has become the first to show benefits of immunotherapy in prostate cancer – for some men with advanced, otherwise untreatable disease.
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Acclaimed opera singers come together to support the ICR

25/05/18

A world-class group of opera singers united at the intimate setting of Spencer House this week to celebrate and support the ICR.
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Leading UK scientist reveals likely cause of childhood leukaemia

21/05/18

A major new analysis reveals for the first time the likely cause of most cases of childhood leukaemia and that the disease may be preventable.
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Study picks out children with incurable brain cancer who could benefit from adult therapy

14/05/18

Children with incurable brain tumours could benefit from potentially life-extending treatment if genetic testing was used to personalise therapy as it is in many adults, major new research reports.
Counting pills in the pharmacy
Scientists identify cause of resistance to breakthrough breast and ovarian cancer drug

10/05/18

The study findings could help predict which patients will develop resistance to PARP inhibitors and allow doctors to alter treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.
Cell division (green 4.3)
Major study gives vital new understandings of how cells divide

02/05/18

The ground-breaking research used mathematical models and pain-staking experiments to clarify the role of a key phase of cell division.
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Targeting chemotherapy with genetic testing provides effective treatment for women with aggressive breast cancer

30/04/18

Women with an aggressive form of breast cancer who have faults in their BRCA genes do much better on chemotherapy drug carboplatin than standard treatment, a major clinical trial reports.
MRI brain scan
Researchers find five sub-types of the brain cancer glioma

24/04/18

The findings come from the largest ever genetic study its kind on glioma and could help us understand the biological mechanisms that trigger the disease.