Science Talk
With our Science Talk blog, we hope to lift the lid on the black box that is the ICR: to show you inside our labs, to introduce you to a few of the people here who make the discoveries, and to allow them to tell some of the stories behind the science. We try to put our discoveries in a wider scientific context, and give an idea of how our science is actually done. We also give you the view from the ICR of important developments in the wider world of cancer research.
The future of CAR T cell immunotherapy in the UK
Cancer research has delivered major breakthroughs in recent years, and CAR T cell therapy is a stand-out example. Dr Claire Hastings went along to an event run by the Financial Times and Gilead Sciences to hear what needs to happen next to ensure this particular breakthrough treatment benefits patients in the UK.
Harnessing the power of patient data and the patient experience to improve cancer research and care
This year’s War on Cancer event – hosted by The Economist – was focused on the technological revolution and the future of patient engagement. Lydia Brain, the ICR’s Cancer Stories Officer, reports back from the conference, where she heard from an impressive range of speakers that included policy makers, industry leaders, scientists and patients.
Reducing inequalities, immunotherapy and quality of life: three key themes from NCRI 2018
As the conference stands are packed up and the signs taken down, Lydia Brain reflects back on some of the most commonly recurring topics from the conference.
NCRI 2018: Three new ways researchers are combatting cancer
An intriguing session at the NCRI conference gave a glimpse of some novel ways for attacking cancers.
NCRI 2018: Using liquid biopsies to understand cancer treatment
Testing for cancer cells and DNA in the bloodstream is showing huge promise as a way of monitoring cancers and how they are responding to treatment. At the 2018 NCRI conference in Glasgow, ICR researchers spoke about how these so-called liquid biopsies can guide clinical decisions for cancer patients.
NCRI 2018: World-leading cancer researchers and clinicians gather in Glasgow
This year The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is in Scotland to attend the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) annual conference. As the UK’s largest platform for cancer researchers, clinicians, industry and patients to showcase the latest advances in cancer research, the ICR will be reporting on the cutting-edge science throughout.
“Here you really can make a difference” – Professor Chris Lord reflects on the biggest developments in his career so far
Professor Chris Lord, Deputy Head of the Division of Breast Cancer Research, has given his inaugural lecture to mark his promotion to Professor after 18 years at the Institute of Cancer Research. Conor McKeever, our Science Communications Officer, was there to hear him talk about the biggest developments in his career so far.
Biology Week 2018: the scientists studying what makes cancer tick
Looking back to the Royal Society of Biology’s 7th annual Biology Week, Sarah Wells met with Professor Jon Pines, Head of the ICR’s Division of Cancer Biology, to find out what the division has been working on, and where he sees our fundamental biology research going next.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Five advances in breast cancer research in 2018
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – an annual international health campaign. Web Editor Dave Morgan rounds up five exciting breast cancer news stories from the ICR in 2018 so far.
Nobel Prize for Medicine 2018: the early research that led to ‘revolutionary’ cancer immunotherapy
Two scientists who made key discoveries about how the immune system is regulated have won the 2018 Nobel Prize for Medicine. Dr Claire Hastings explains how their work led to a revolution in cancer treatment.
Dedicated parents lead team that raises over £16,000 for rhabdomyosarcoma research this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Looking back on childhood cancer awareness month, our Cancer Stories Officer, Lydia Brain, spoke to Ged and Julie Hussey about why they are fundraising for research into rhabdomyosarcoma as a legacy to their son, Jack.
From the research lab to the clinic and back again – exploring an early career in prostate cancer research
The career path in research can be quite standardised but Dr Adam Sharp took a slightly different route. Ben Kolb spoke with him about his career to date and how a major new funding award from the Prostate Cancer Foundation will help his career progress and, more importantly, help men with prostate cancer.
Childhood cancer awareness month: how we’re bringing genetic testing to children with cancer
To mark childhood cancer awareness month, Rose Wu introduces one of our pioneering programmes of childhood cancer research.
How will a clinical trial called CHHiP affect the future of prostate radiotherapy?
Men with prostate cancer can now face a much less daunting course of radiotherapy thanks to the CHHiP clinical trial. Our Cancer Stories Officer, Lydia Brain, spoke with Derek Tomlin, a patient whose treatment was influenced by CHHiP, to find out how the trial could improve the experience of prostate cancer patients in the future.
Engaging the public about the promise of cancer immunotherapy at Science Museum Lates
On the scale of hot topics, cancer immunotherapy is arguably the hottest. Interim Head of Editorial Projects, Dr Alison Halliday conveys how ICR scientists engaged a public audience about recent progress in this exciting field at an event at London’s Science Museum.
Boys one step closer to receiving cancer-protecting HPV vaccine after committee approval
An advisory committee has recommended that the government extend the HPV vaccine to boys in the UK. Dr Claire Hastings explains how HPV can cause cancer, why the recommendation for boys is significant and what still needs to happen before they begin to receive the vaccine.
Our former students are leaders in cancer research across the UK and the world
A new regulatory system is challenging higher education institutions to demonstrate the value of the education they provide. For the ICR, argues Registrar Barbara Pittam, that value is shown by the impact of our students worldwide.
Why LGBT+ representation matters in science
As the ICR joins organisations worldwide in supporting LGBTSTEM Day, Conor McKeever, our Science Communications Officer, shares his thoughts on the importance of making science inclusive.
The NHS at 70 – how three ICR discoveries have helped improve the lives of people with cancer
The NHS turns 70 this year, and we’re proud to be involved with three important research discoveries that have been highlighted in the #NHS70 campaign as having transformed the lives of cancer patients.
Outsmarting cancer – staying one step ahead of drug resistance
Cancer drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges of 21st century medicine – and a challenge that our researchers are facing up to. Rose Wu introduces how some of our researchers are aiming to outsmart cancer by tackling drug resistance.