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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High-tech scan after chemotherapy could indicate whether head and neck cancer treatment is working

27/09/16

An advanced type of scan merging two imaging technologies could tell doctors whether treatment for head and neck cancer is working after just one cycle of chemotherapy.
Dispensing medicines for a clinical trial (Jan Chlebik/the ICR)
Cancer patients’ optimism exceeds what phase I trials can deliver

26/09/16

Around half of cancer patients referred for phase I clinical trials thought their tumours would shrink, even after their clinician explained that the trial might not have the desired outcome, a new study reveals.
Radiotherapy machine at The Royal Marsden Hospital
New triple therapy could boost treatment and prevent relapse in head and neck cancer

22/09/16

Combining a new targeted drug that blocks one of cancer’s escape routes could boost the effectiveness of combined chemo-radiotherapy for head and neck cancers and stop cells becoming resistant to treatment.
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New ‘ecosystem’ test strongly predicts ovarian cancer survival

19/09/16

Assessing the cell ‘ecosystems’ at sites where ovarian cancer has spread round the body strongly predicts the chances of surviving from the disease, a new study reports.
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Study shows blood vessel cells are helping breast cancers enter bloodstream and spread around body

15/09/16

Scientists have discovered that non-cancer cells that wrap around blood vessels — called ‘pericytes’ — are helping breast cancer cells enter the bloodstream and spread around the body through the production of a key molecule called endosialin.
Exterior shot of the Centre for Molecular Pathology
ICR and The Royal Marsden awarded £43 million for Biomedical Research Centre

15/09/16

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust have successfully renewed their joint Biomedical Research Centre.
Treated prostate cancer cells (Mateus Crespo/Prof Johann de Bono, the ICR)
Counting cancer cells in blood could be key to telling whether prostate cancer treatment is working

14/09/16

A drop in the number of cancer cells detected in a patient’s blood could be the best indicator yet as to whether treatment for prostate cancer is working.
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ICR secures new Wellcome Trust clinical PhDs

09/09/16

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, will host a new clinical PhD programme in cancer research, after being awarded funding from the Wellcome Trust.
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ICR Chief Executive Paul Workman named one of London’s most influential people

08/09/16

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has been named in the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list of the most influential people in London.
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Single-letter variation in DNA linked to longer bowel cancer survival

07/09/16

A single letter in a strand of DNA within tumours is linked to longer survival times for some patients treated for bowel cancer, a new study reveals.
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ICR’s microscope appeal raises £50,000 for cutting-edge research

06/09/16

A new fundraising appeal by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, for research using a new type of high-tech microscope has raised an amazing £50,000.
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Statement about NICE decision on radium-223

01/09/16

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has issued a statement in response to the decision by NICE to approve the use of radium-223 for treating hormone-relapsed prostate cancer with bone metastases if docetaxel chemotherapy isn’t a suitable treatment option.