The Institute of Cancer Research

🚨A major study has identified potential new treatment targets for the most common type of #BowelCancer. Researchers at the ICR and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) used #AI to analyse the data from 2,000 patient tumour samples, identifying new vulnerabilities.

We're pleased to share that ICR's Dr @maggiecheang.bsky.social and Professor Luca Magnani have secured funding from @breastcancernow.bsky.social to uncover why some ER positive breast cancers can reappear many years after treatment.

The researchers will harness the powers of AI to understand why some breast cancer cells become dormant and what causes them to wake up years later. This could ultimately pave the way for more personalised treatment, earlier intervention and fewer people facing an incurable diagnosis.

🧬 Scientists have discovered 18 previously unknown bacterial species in DNA samples from people with #ProstateCancer.

The UEA-led study used data from the Pan Prostate Cancer Group, co-founded and co-led by Professor Ros Eeles, Professor of Oncogenetics at the ICR and Professor Colin Cooper at @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social

📢 Coming up on Thursday 15 October at 11:30am (UK), Professor Uwe Oelfke will give the Indian Physics Association @iop.org Cockcroft Walton Lecture from NISER Bhubaneswar in India. He'll speak about his #Radiotherapy research. You can watch it live on YouTube ⤵️ www.youtube.com/live/J-aEA9d...

The IPA–IoP Cockcroft-Walton Lecture is a distinguished exchange lecture series jointly organised by the Indian Physics Association (IPA) and the @iop.org, UK. Professor Uwe Oelfke is Head of the Joint Department of Physics at the ICR and The Royal Marsden. www.youtube.com/live/J-aEA9d...

New results from the UK-led OPTIMUM (MUKnine) trial show that patients with high-risk multiple #myeloma can live significantly longer when treatment is tailored to their disease.

Published in The Lancet Oncology, the study found that around 69 per cent of patients were still alive after six years. The findings also highlight the importance of advanced molecular testing to identify patients at greatest risk.

BREAKING 🚨: A new drug target has been discovered for an aggressive #BloodCancer. 🎥 Hear more from first author of the study, ICR's Dr Christopher Mapperley, Postdoctoral Fellow.

🧬 25 years ago, the first draft of the human genome was published, a momentous scientific achievement opening up huge potential for drug discovery. On its anniversary, how far have we come?

Paul shares a cartoon by Aaron Bacall which shows a patient approaching the pharmacist behind a well-stocked counter and announcing “Here’s my DNA sequence” in the expectation of receiving their personalised medications. As the blog details, to what extent have we moved towards that?

🧬 25 years ago, the first draft of the human genome was published, a momentous scientific achievement opening up huge potential for drug discovery. On its anniversary, how far have we come?

🖥️ An ultrasound technology pioneered at the ICR to treat tumours without the need for surgery has successfully been adapted and used to treat a serious pregnancy condition. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) uses targeted sound waves to heat and destroy cells inside the body.

ICR scientists led its development, ensuring that the technology is safe for use in patients. Now, our researchers have supported @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to apply the technology to twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

📰 In our latest feature, ICR's Professor Anguraj Sadanandam explains how his pioneering research is combining #AI, advanced diagnostics and innovative preclinical models to better understand #BowelCancer and help develop more personalised treatments.

His work is helping researchers identify why some cancers resist treatment, predict which therapies are most likely to benefit individual patients and bring us closer to a future where bowel cancer is more preventable, predictable and treatable.

🎤 We’re delighted that ICR's Professor Paul Workman is speaking on a panel today at The Galien Foundation Forum at the @sciencemuseum.org.uk where this year’s focus is Future Health Disrupted: From Discovery to Delivery.

Professor Workman will share his insights on the incredible progress in discovering new precision cancer medicines, and how disruptive technologies are accelerating this progress. This includes advances in PROTACs, molecular glues and the critical role of biomarkers in patient selection.

🎙️ICR's Professor Kevin Harrington spoke to Naga Munchetty and Chris Smith on @bbc5live.bsky.social He spoke about how the early discoveries were made that viruses could infect tumours, and how this has led to modern, genetically engineered viruses to treat cancer - called oncolytic virotherapy.

UK research shows cancer trials may be unintentionally excluding some of the patients who could benefit most. From explicit criteria like HIV status to less visible barriers like language, access isn’t always equal. Rethinking trial design is key to making research more inclusive and effective.

Making clinical trials more inclusive isn’t just about fairness; it’s about better science. By widening access and considering underserved groups from the outset, researchers can build stronger evidence and help ensure that new cancer treatments work for everyone who needs them.

UK research shows cancer trials may be unintentionally excluding some of the patients who could benefit most. From explicit criteria like HIV status to less visible barriers like language, access isn’t always equal. Rethinking trial design is key to making research more inclusive and effective.