Science Talk: the ICR blog

Professor Paul Workman is Harrap Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research. He has worked in the field of cancer research for more than 50 years and was the ICR’s Chief Executive and President from 2014 to 2021. During his leadership, he oversaw many of our scientific successes – including the development of smarter and kinder forms of radiotherapy. Now, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer himself in 2022, he reflects on his experience as both a leading cancer scientist and now a cancer patient.

Alison and Brian set up the Doing It For Daniel Foundation in memory of their son, Daniel, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour at the age of 16 and passed away seven months later. Here, Alison shares their story and explains why the ICR’s research into a cure for Daniel’s cancer is so important.

Andrea Calderon, 28, is originally from Texas, USA, but she will be running the Berlin Marathon this Sunday 29th September in honour of her younger brother, Edu, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of five. Edu passed away in 2020 when he was 11 years old.

Collaboration is essential in science. By sharing knowledge, ideas and skills, we can turn a disease from one that is always fatal into one that is often treatable or even curable. This collaboration can take many forms and involve multiple groups of people. Here, Isy Godfrey meets two scientists who work closely not only with each other, their other team members and their peers abroad but also with two of our amazing family charity partners.

Postdoctoral researchers – also known as postdocs – are essential to scientific research. After completing their doctoral studies, a researcher might choose to continue their training and academic career progression through a fixed term postdoc position. Dr Elise Glen, our Head of Researcher Development, writes about why the ICR is such a great place to do a postdoc.

Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. He lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, but in 1980 began a ‘Marathon of Hope’ – running 3,339 miles over 143 days to raise awareness and money for cancer research. His dream to run across Canada was cut short after his cancer spread to his lungs and he died aged 22. Terry continues to inspire people in Canada and beyond to raise money for cancer research, and in the UK the Terry Fox Association proudly supports The Institute of Cancer Research. Brian Whitman is a Canadian currently serving with NATO at its Allied Maritime Command at the Northwood base in north-west London.

Childhood cancer treatment is challenging, with certain cancer types proving particularly difficult to treat. Although researchers have made significant progress, the outlook for children with some cancer types remains poor. Even when children are successfully treated, they often have to contend with the life-long effects of their treatment. Isy Godfrey spoke with Professor Sir Mel Greaves, a world leader in childhood leukaemia research, about recent progress in childhood cancer and what motivates him to keep going despite the challenges and setbacks he has encountered.

This year, our Spring Appeal is focused on hard-to-treat cancers. These include lung cancer, for which there is still a lack of effective treatments. Although researchers are making progress against the disease, they are sometimes hampered by the stigma that surrounds it because of its well-known link with smoking. Here, we speak with one of the ICR’s lung cancer experts, Dr Astero Klampatsa, to find out more.

When Lynn Lucas’ son Chris died of a rare soft tissue cancer, her life was changed forever. But as a result of this devastating loss, she and her husband channelled their anger and grief into action – setting up a charitable trust that would go on to become one of our long-standing family charity partners, contributing to vital research progress that is bringing hope to others with the same diagnosis. Lynn explains why they’ve dedicated their lives to raising money for our scientists.

Yvonne Diaz, 55, was diagnosed with stage 4 ALK-positive lung cancer in August 2021. She works in Communications and lives in Holland Park, London with her husband and twin sons, aged 17.

Tony McHale, a screenwriter, was invited to take part in the IMPACT study in 2012, an international clinical trial offering regular screening for men at increased risk of prostate cancer. Around 18 months later, he was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 61. After undergoing intense radiotherapy treatment, he has remained cancer-free ever since.

Michael Parry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 59. Fortunately, his disease was detected early – and after surgery and chemotherapy, he is now planning for the years ahead with his family. Here he tells his story and explains why more research into hard-to-treat cancers is so vital.

This June world-leading cancer researchers from around the globe are getting ready to present and discuss the latest advances in the oncology at the 2024 ASCO Annual meeting in Chicago. Ahead of the meeting, we look at some of the ICR’s research being presented this year.

Completing a marathon is no easy feat – but this year two of our #TeamICR runners who took on the London Marathon had been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in the past five years. They tell us what cancer research means to them.

It's an exciting time for research into high-risk neuroblastoma. Over the past year, multiple trials testing new treatments showed promising results, and in 2024, new trials are expected to open to further advance this research. We look at some of the latest advances and how they could change the outlook for children with neuroblastoma.

As a fit and healthy former firefighter, Harry Hall didn’t think there was anything to worry about when he developed a lump in his neck. But after his wife persuaded him to go to the doctors, tests diagnosed Harry with tongue cancer. Here, Harry explains why he wants to raise funds to support our vital research by running the London Marathon.

As runners from across the globe prepare to hit London’s streets for the capital’s annual flagship running event, we hear from some of those participating in the London Marathon to raise money for our vital research – and the powerful motivations that keep them focused on reaching the finish line.

Our scientists are developing new ways of diagnosing and treating diverse types of blood cancers, including myeloma, which develops in the bone marrow and accounts for 15 per cent of blood cancers. This International Myeloma Action Day, we share the stories of three people who were diagnosed with the disease.

The ICR was recently awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of its transformational work in breast cancer research. Isy Godfrey spoke with two scientists who had recently attended the prize-giving ceremony at the Palace to learn more about their experience of the day and their work at the ICR.

Mark was diagnosed with kidney cancer in April 2021. After surgery to remove the tumour and affected kidney, he was initially told there was no evidence that the disease had spread. However, a biopsy of the tumour showed it was an aggressive type of cancer, prone to returning.

Personalised medicine is increasingly allowing us to provide individuals with the treatments most likely to be effective for them. In some cases, it might even spare people from unnecessary treatment. Isy Godfrey spoke with Dr Maggie Cheang, co-inventor of the Prosigna® Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay, to find out more.

A recent review paper led by scientists at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research looks at how the treatment of paediatric brain tumours is evolving to prioritise children’s quality of life. Isy Godfrey spoke with corresponding author Dr Lynley Marshall to find out more.

To celebrate Darwin Day, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, invited Professor Martin Blaser to deliver its annual Darwin Lecture on the importance of microbes in a healthy life for humans. Professor Blaser took time to chat with the ICR’s Mark Jones ahead of the lecture.

Cancer research is driving progress in treatment that means more and more people are living well for longer after a diagnosis of advanced cancer. Sarah Lothian spoke to five people who are each responding well to treatment and are now looking to the future, after receiving a devastating diagnosis.

There are many benefits to exercise, including reducing a person’s risk of cancer. Being physically active can also be helpful for many people during and after cancer treatment. Laura-Maria Horga explores some of the links between exercise and cancer by talking to patients, oncologists and researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.