Cancer discovery news
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NICE recommends abiraterone use before chemotherapy
NICE has announced that abiraterone, the life-extending prostate cancer drug discovered at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, will be made available for men on the NHS earlier in the course of their treatment.
Using mathematical models to guide cancer treatment
Researchers have found a way to estimate the number of cells responsible for driving and maintaining a cancer’s growth, and the results could help to tailor treatments to each patient’s cancer.
ICR science symposium to commemorate legacy of Chris Marshall
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, will celebrate the outstanding scientific achievements of the late Professor Chris Marshall, former Director of Research at the ICR, during a symposium at the Royal Society.
New way of targeting cancer’s most commonly mutated gene
Blocking a gene involved with cellular division and replication could provide clues in understanding how to target the most common mutation found in cancer, a new study shows.
Discovery Club members learn how big data is transforming cancer research
Members of The Discovery Club of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, gathered at the Royal Society on 8 March 2016 to learn how our scientists are using big data to help defeat cancer.
Drug combination shrinks HER2-positive breast cancers within 11 days
A drug combination – of lapatinib and trastuzumab (Herceptin) – before surgery shrinks and may even destroy tumours in women with HER2 positive disease within 11 days, according to new research.
Gene may worsen cancer outcome by speeding metabolism of drugs
Some patients with breast cancer, lung cancer and leukaemia seem to fare poorly after treatment because of the effects of a particular gene, a new study finds.
Partial breast radiotherapy cuts breast cancer side-effects
Postoperative radiotherapy focused on the breast tissue that once contained tumours has fewer long-term side-effects and is just as effective as standard whole-breast radiotherapy, new trial results show.
Study reveals enzymes that cancers depend on to survive
A new study has identified a catalogue of specific enzymes, known as kinases, that some types of cancer rely on to survive.
New Centre for Cancer Imaging to open window onto cancer
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, celebrated the opening of the new £20 million Centre for Cancer Imaging on its Sutton site this week. The state-of-the-art building is designed to drive collaboration between researchers from many different fields on pioneering approaches to cancer imaging.
Healthy cells ‘collaborate’ with tumours to help build new blood vessels
Healthy cells actively collaborate with tumours by creating a mesh of collagen that encourages cancer cells to build new blood vessels, a new study shows.
Drug combination slows breast cancer spread
A combination of two drugs delays progression of advanced, aggressive breast cancer by an average of nine months – working in all subsets of the most common type of breast cancer, research has shown.