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.
Doing more for deadly cancers: new push to improve pancreatic cancer treatment
While survival from breast and prostate cancer is increasing, there has been barely any improvement for patients with a lesser-known type of the disease – pancreatic cancer. But a new precision medicine initiative is looking to change that.
Three ways we plan to inspire the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians
How a new strategy to develop learning and teaching at the ICR aims to educate and train the cancer research leaders of tomorrow.
Why now is our best chance to change rules on childhood cancer trials
The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are calling on the European Commission to update rules on testing new drugs in children. Dr Eva Sharpe, our Senior Policy and Engagement Manager, explains why.
BRCA-targeting drug olaparib could offer hope for women with advanced breast cancer with inherited mutation
AstraZeneca has issued a statement saying a phase III trial of the ovarian cancer drug olaparib significantly delayed progression of advanced breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations. But what does this news mean for patients?
The genomics revolution: opportunities and challenges for 21st century healthcare
The future of healthcare played a prominent part in discussion at the recent Festival of Genomics conference in London. Dr Keith Bradnam reports on what the genomics revolution means for routine medical care – and for cancer research in particular.
Cancer knows no borders – and nor should science
On World Cancer Day, our researchers and some of their international collaborators explain why it is essential that science can operate as a global endeavour.
We opened our labs to a local artist: the piece she created is a metaphor for hope
What role does art have in communicating the essence of cancer research? We invited local artist Tia Arberry to the ICR's labs to create a piece of art inspired by our work: the result was an intriguing combination of art and science.
A greater understanding of cancer’s metabolism could mean better treatments for patients
Improving our knowledge of the genetic, metabolic and molecular factors that affect tumour growth will help us develop and select the best treatments for patients.
Celebrating women in science, drug discovery and computing
Dr Bissan Al-Lazakani recently spoke at Ada Lovelace Live 2016, an evening of scientific performances celebrating the woman who has been described as the world’s first computer programmer.
The good, the bad and the immune system — how viruses can fight cancer, and each other
The ICR’s Professor Alan Melcher and colleagues at the University of Leeds have been pitting viruses against each other to treat cancer.
NCRI 2016: Could exciting new treatments to block cancer evolution halt drug resistance?
Cancer can evolve stubborn resistance to even our best therapies, threatening our ability to treat tumours effectively. But new research promises to solve this pressing problem and deliver better survival rates for patients.
NCRI 2016: What we learned from the UK’s largest cancer conference
We consider what the NCRI conference tells us about the future of cancer treatment.
NCRI 2016: Why viruses could be the next big thing in cancer treatment
At the NCRI Conference 2016, ICR Professors Alan Melcher and Kevin Harrington, along with other UK experts, presented their recent advances in using viruses to treat cancer.
NCRI 2016: Collaboration and communication at the heart of future cancer research
The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool is the UK's largest meeting of cancer researchers and doctors. The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is there and we will be reporting on major findings from the conference and cutting-edge science from ICR researchers.
Five ways the ICR is defeating breast cancer
We look back at some of the many influential breakthroughs our scientists have made; breakthroughs that have not only aided our primary understanding of breast cancer but which have also helped in the development of new and improved treatments for this disease.
How new drugs are helping more breast cancer patients survive longer
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Graham Shaw looks at the trailblazing work by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to bring some promising new drugs for breast cancer closer to the clinic.
Seven of the most promising new approaches in cancer treatment
Dr Angela Kukula, the ICR’s Director of Enterprise, was asked at a recent conference to give a rundown of innovative science in action — and where it will deliver real progress in our efforts to defeat cancer. Here, Dr Eva Sharpe reports on the seven areas she highlighted.
Beating the house: how mathematics is helping beat cancer at its own game
The ICR’s Dr Andrea Sottoriva recently spoke to BBC Radio 4 about the importance of mathematics to understand the biological processes driving cancer, and how it could help us come up with new ways to beat the disease.
Seeing with sound: how ultrasound is helping doctors home in on cancers
Ultrasound is familiar to many as a way to monitor the health of foetuses during pregnancy, but this affordable, safe imaging technology could also improve radiotherapy for cancer.
How this ICR PhD student is helping bring personalised medicine to children with cancer
As we near the end of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Elisa Izquierdo Delgado, a PhD student at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, talks to Gabriella Beer about a new test she’s developed that could transform treatment for children with cancer.