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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Radiotherapy machine at The Royal Marsden Hospital
Drug makes head-and-neck cancer more sensitive to radiotherapy

06/04/17

A drug that has shown promise in breast and lung cancer trials also makes the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy more successful at killing head-and-neck cancers, a new study has found.
Jennifer Herbert
Find out why our supporter Jennifer is running the London Marathon for #teamICR

06/04/17

It’s nearly that time of year again, when runners from all over the world lace up their trainers and tackle one of the most famous marathons there is: the Virgin Money London Marathon. But why do our supporters do it? Heather Lacey caught up with one of our supporters, Jennifer Herbert, to find out why she decided to support our vital work by running 26.2 gruelling miles.
Abiraterone tablets
Prostate cancer drug combination shows promise in early trial

31/03/17

A combination of two drugs for prostate cancer is safe and shows signs of effectiveness in patients with advanced, aggressive disease, an early-stage trial reports.
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Scientists create artificial ‘mini tumours’ to study cancer genes

30/03/17

A new technique to screen clumps of cancer cells in the lab which act like miniature tumours could help scientists discover potential new cancer drugs.
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Discovery Club learns how maths can model cancer evolution

28/03/17

Members of our Discovery Club gathered at The Royal Society in London earlier this month to learn about the role mathematics plays in modern cancer research and treatment.
MRI brain scan
Largest-ever brain cancer study reveals new secrets to inherited risk

27/03/17

Scientists have uncovered a treasure trove of information about the genetic causes of brain cancer in the largest-ever study of the disease.
Professor Louis Chesler in research lab
ICR scientists awarded £1.5m precision medicine funding for targeted, less toxic childhood cancer treatments

27/03/17

Scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have been awarded £1.5 million by the charity Children with Cancer UK to advance precision medicine in the UK and improve cancer treatment for children and young adults.
Community Plaza - The London Cancer Hub
£14m investment marks first step towards new London Cancer Hub

22/03/17

Ambitions to create the world’s leading hub for cancer research and treatment have taken an important first step forward as the London Borough of Sutton invests £14 million in NHS land needed to develop the site.
Cells retain a memory of DNA damage as part of the repair process

20/03/17

Cells are able to remember that DNA damage has occurred as they pass through the process of cell division, a new study reveals.
Scientist reviewing a DNA stream. (photo: iStock.com/Claude Dagenais)
New genetic link to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

16/03/17

A single letter change to DNA is linked to an increased risk of one of the most common forms of childhood leukaemia, a new study has revealed.
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Fundraisers celebrated by Prime Minister with Points of Light Award after raising over £1m for our research

15/03/17

Prime Minister Theresa May has celebrated the devoted fundraising of Karen and Kevin Capel, who set up Christopher’s Smile in memory of their son who died of a brain tumour.
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Hodgkin lymphoma survivors at high risk of second cancers

13/03/17

Patients who are cured of Hodgkin lymphoma are at a high risk of developing a second type of cancer, particularly if they have a family history of the disease, a major new study reports.