Our discoveries defeat cancer
At the Institute of Cancer Research, London, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of cancer research for more than 100 years.
From identifying cancer-causing genes to discovering life-saving treatments, our world-leading research has transformed cancer care. And we are proud to have discovered more targeted therapies than any other academic centre globally.
Our labs are home to 800 scientists, united by one mission: to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
Research is where hope begins
Every day in the UK, more than 1000 people hear the words: “You have cancer”. That’s one every 90 seconds.
Our scientists are working hard to change this, unlocking innovative new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and transforming outcomes for patients.
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'I still have a lot of living left to do'
In July 2007 I went on holiday for the first time with my husband Pete. We had a lovely time and photographs show me looking really well. So my diagnosis in September really was a bolt out of the blue.
Remarkably, I was offered a place on a clinical trial for a new drug, the development of which was underpinned by research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. Fifteen years on, I’m still taking olaparib. It’s given me a quality of life I could only have dreamed about. Read Sue's full story.
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'We need more treatments like abiraterone'
Abiraterone has saved my life and I am grateful for that. But not everyone is as fortunate as I was to get on that trial and respond to the drug as well as I did. We need more treatments like abiraterone. Drugs that enable people to live their lives with cancer, and live them well. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about so much more.
I am a man who, without clinical research would not be here today. I want to see more people benefit from the treatments of the future. Read Alfred's full story.
'New research into prostate cancer will take away people’s fear'
After my experience and as I get older, I want to know more. We need to understand more about prostate cancer and why it is so aggressive in the black community. We need more research into this to be able to find solutions. We need more research into prostate cancer full-stop.
Early diagnosis and early detection is so important. My story was very different to my dad’s because my disease was caught at an earlier stage. Read Godfrey's full story.
This is just the start
We have one mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. Our scientists are at the forefront of cancer research, turning cutting-edge science into life-saving therapies. Find out more about our breakthroughs by signing up to our newsletter.
Scientific achievements of 2025
See our range of discoveries from 2024/25 – chosen because they illustrate the quality and breadth of our basic, translational and clinical research and our ambitions under our research strategy..tmb-ctadt.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=d0c8e3d2_1)
Simple spit test could finally turn the tide on prostate cancer
A spit test, where a sample can be collected at home, is more accurate at identifying future risk of prostate cancer for some men than the current standard PSA blood test, a new study reports.
Overuse of CT scans could cause 100,000 extra cancers in US
The overuse of CT scans could cause over 100,000 cases of cancer in the US – with almost 10,000 cases in children, researchers have warned.
