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Making the discoveries that defeat cancer

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research organisations. We are a UK charity and member institution of the University of London.

ICR scientists find gene that helps skin cancers drill through tissues and spread

Scientists have identified a nerve cell gene that enables melanoma cells to drill through and invade new tissues. The discovery expands our understanding of how cancer cells change shape and spread, and it could open up new avenues for preventing metastasis.
Disarming molecular drills
All patients’ cancers should be genetically profiled to improve care, say leading health experts

The NHS should offer all cancer patients genetic profiling of their cancers at diagnosis and during treatment to shape care and track how the disease evolves, a consensus group of leading experts has concluded.
Consensus statements call for change
Help us unlock new ways to treat cancer patients

Our research is already helping patients to live longer and live well. But cancer can adapt and evolve to evade treatment, so we’re looking for new ways to stay one-step-ahead of cancer. Support our research today to unlock new combination therapies, and help more people survive cancer.
Donate today
ICR remembers Dame Deborah James

The ICR has offered heartfelt condolences to Dame Deborah James' family after the campaigner and podcaster very sadly died - Deborah had been living with bowel cancer for six years.
Dame Deborah James

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Innovative approaches

We will take on the challenge of cancer’s complexity, evolution and drug resistance through the discovery of innovative new approaches to cancer treatment.
Our innovative approaches
Queen's Anniversary Prize

The ICR has been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its world-leading research in cancer drug discovery.
Queen's Anniversary Prize
Making it count

We will deliver better outcomes and quality of life for patients by establishing innovative treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies as part of routine healthcare.
Improving patient lives
Unravelling cancer’s complexity

We will comprehend the full complexity of cancer by harnessing the power of new technologies and Big Data.
Big data research
Smarter, kinder treatments

We will move a step closer to cure by bringing personalised treatments into the clinic and developing them for patients.
Personalised treatments
Creating new treatments that target tumours

Teams of biologists, chemists and computational scientists design new drugs to selectively attack tumours.
About drug discovery