Cancer discovery news

Our researchers are making the discoveries that defeat cancer. Read the latest findings from our world-leading research.

Visit our main news hub to read about news on new funding, our fundraising activities and much more. If you want to keep updated on our news, you can follow us on social media or sign up for our Search newsletter.

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Top 10 scientific achievements of 2016

12/12/16

We've selected our top 10 discoveries of 2015/16 – chosen because they best represent the breadth of our research and our ambitions under the new research strategy.
Ian Judson and Paul Huang at 10 downing st content
ICR scientists attend 10 Downing Street reception with Prime Minister Theresa May for sarcoma research

10/12/16

Leading researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Theresa May – to raise awareness of research into sarcoma, a rare cancer.
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TV royalty attend ICR’s Carols from Chelsea service to raise money for our cancer research

09/12/16

Monty Python star Michael Palin, The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby and Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern attended Carols from Chelsea, a major highlight of the ICR’s fundraising calendar.
The ICR logo on the Brookes Lawley Building
Cancer research technology pioneer fund announces investment in blood cancer drugs

09/12/16

The Cancer Research Technology (CRT) Pioneer Fund today (Thursday) announced an investment to develop a promising new class of drugs for blood cancer.
Scientists reveal ‘safety catch’ within all dividing cells

08/12/16

Researchers have made a major discovery about how cells control when to divide – representing a step forward in scientists’ understanding of one of the most fundamental processes of life.
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Map of drugs reveals uncharted waters in search for new treatments

02/12/16

Scientists have created a map of all 1,578 licensed drugs and their mechanisms of action – as a means of identifying ‘uncharted waters’ in the search for future treatments.
The ICR logo on the Brookes Lawley Building
ICR and Royal Marsden secure new funding for Cancer Research UK Centre

01/12/16

The ICR and The Royal Marsden have successfully renewed our Cancer Research UK Centre and secured very substantial funding.
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Avoiding penile bulb with radiotherapy could save men with prostate cancer from harmful side-effects

28/11/16

Researchers have found that avoiding the penile bulb when giving radiotherapy treatment to men with prostate cancer could reduce the severity of erectile dysfunction.
Photo: Jan Chlebik/ICR 2011
Tricky gene mutations detected by new easy-to-use DECoN software

25/11/16

Scientists have developed an easy-to-use software tool that can detect important genetic mutations that previously needed to be identified by a separate test.
Myeloma of sphenoid sinus. Wellcome Images / Creative Commons by-nc-nd 4.0
New research uncovers mechanism for genetic risk of myeloma

24/11/16

Researchers have identified a mechanism that may explain how a key genetic variant acts to increase the risk of developing myeloma.
The MR Linac machine at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
New era in cancer treatment to begin as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan opens revolutionary radiotherapy machine

22/11/16

A pioneering new type of radiotherapy machine opened on Tuesday by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has the potential to transform the care of cancer patients by directing radiation even at tumours that move during treatment.
An MRI scanner
Enhanced MRI techniques can spot brain tumour growth

21/11/16

A combination of functional imaging techniques can help determine which regions of a brain tumour are likely to spread undetected, according to a new study.