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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Team ICR will be running the London Marathon

15/04/16

A team of 25 runners will be representing The Institute of Cancer Research, London, in the 2016 London Marathon. Their inspiring efforts will help support our world-leading cancer research.
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Cancer cells turn healthy cells to the ‘dark side’

14/04/16

Cancer cells use a mutant gene to coerce neighbouring healthy tissue into helping with the disease’s growth and spread, a major new study reports.
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Watch: How cancers turn healthy cells to the ‘dark side’

14/04/16

Through images and video, we explain new research that shows cancer cells use a mutant gene to coerce neighbouring healthy tissue into helping with the disease’s growth and spread.
Breast epithelial cells under ER stress (Chris Bakal, 2014)
New insights show how some breast cancers resist treatment

14/04/16

Breast cancer cells can become resistant to a common anticancer drug in a variety of different ways — suggesting that tailored treatment combinations to overcome resistance may be required for each patient.
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Artificial DNA could build new generation of cancer drugs

10/04/16

Scientists have built the first 3D nano-sized objects using artificial DNA, which could be used to deploy cancer treatments inside tumour cells.
Blood vessels illustration. Photo credit: Inozemtsev Konstantin/Shutterstock.com
Cancer thwarts treatment by ‘stealing’ blood vessels

07/04/16

Cancers can resist treatment by ‘stealing’ blood vessels from nearby tissues, a new study shows.
Radiotherapy IMRT Jan Chlebik/the ICR
Study predicts rare but severe side-effects after breast cancer radiotherapy

05/04/16

Small skin samples can be used to predict the likelihood of rare but severe side-effects that can occur years after radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to new research.
Professor Louis Chesler in research lab
Children with cancer to get new gene test

31/03/16

Children with cancer at leading hospitals across the UK will be offered testing for genetic mutations in their tumours as part of a new initiative to begin to personalise children’s cancer treatment.
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New blood test could direct pancreatic cancer treatment

30/03/16

Scientists have developed a blood test that can pick out patients with pancreatic cancer who require different types of treatment to delay progression of the disease.
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Scientists identify potential treatment options for rare cancer

28/03/16

Researchers have found that a combination of chemotherapy and modern radiotherapy can benefit patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer – a cancer that starts at the back of the nose.
Rhabdomyosarcoma cells (photo courtesy of Dr Ewa Aladowicz in Professor Janet Shipley's team at the ICR)
Seeking kinder ways to tackle childhood cancer

24/03/16

Our research could reshape how we treat rhabdomyosarcoma, making huge, long-lasting improvements to young patients’ lives. Liz Burtally finds out how.
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Frequent MRI scans help to target bladder cancer

23/03/16

A new radiotherapy technique could help doctors to focus treatment more precisely on tumours in the bladder and reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue.