Image: Professor Andrea Sottoriva and Dr Olivia Rossanese in front of the, under construction, Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery
Professor Andrea Sottoriva and Dr Olivia Rossanese will lead multi-disciplinary research teams in the world’s first anti-evolution ‘Darwinian’ drug discovery programme.
Our scientists have led the discovery and development of many targeted treatments that are helping more cancer patients live longer and with fewer side-effects. But we now know that some cancers adapt to their environments within our bodies to side-step those drugs designed to halt their progress.
Taking on the challenge of drug resistance
We are now poised to take on this challenge with the world’s first anti-evolution 'Darwinian' drug discovery programme, in which we will focus on understanding, anticipating and overcoming cancer evolution, and preventing drug resistance.
Our research programme will include blocking the entire process of cancer evolution with revolutionary new drugs; using artificial intelligence and maths to herd cancer into more treatable forms; and using multi-drug combinations that attack several genes at once, or that boost the immune system.
To deliver this pioneering drug discovery programme, we are constructing a major new research building – the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery – to bring over 300 scientists together in one collaborative space. Our Centre will pave the way for a new era of drug discovery so that patients do not have to give up on their dreams for the future. Our aim is to help them defeat their cancer and finish all the things they started.
How you can help
With your help we can discover treatments so smart and targeted that even advanced cancer can be managed long-term and effectively cured. Please donate today – and let’s finish cancer together.