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.
What we’re looking forward to at AACR 2016
As some of The Institute of Cancer Research's leading scientists head to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2016 in the US, we look forward to some of the exciting research they will be presenting.
BRCAness – going beyond the BRCA genes
Much is known about the BRCA genes and how to target them, but what do we know about ‘BRCAness’? Liz Burtally finds out more.
.jpg?sfvrsn=bf30a90e_2 "Bioassay (Jan Chlebik for the ICR 2011)")
Are antibody-drug conjugates the fabled magic bullets against cancer?
Drugs that deliver cancer-killing compounds directly to the tumour could emerge as a serious contender in the fight against cancer. Liz Burtally explains how.
Sneak preview: Inside the new facility that hopes to revolutionise radiotherapy
Dr Claire Bithell gives an update on the construction of the facility to house the new MR Linac machine, which is due to arrive in the next few months.
Testing genes today, and sequencing genomes tomorrow
A special event for Genome Sequencing Week explored the implications of whole-genome sequencing for cancer patients, and touched on today’s challenges in widening access to gene testing.
-content.jpg?sfvrsn=360af474_2 "Light microscope (Jan Chlebik for the ICR 2011) content")
What does the next decade hold for cancer research?
For British Science Week 2016, researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, share thoughts on where their research may be headed over the next 10 years.
What next for the breast cancer research that hit the front pages?
News that researchers had shown a combination of two drugs could shrink breasts cancers within 11 days is exciting, but much more needs to happen before this treatment routinely reaches patients.
Signs of hope for ovarian cancer
A growing understanding of the genetics of ovarian cancer is helping scientists identify weak spots that could be targets for new drugs.
CAR T cell immunotherapy: on the road towards a cancer cure?
Cancer immunotherapy hit the headlines once again last week, but this latest therapy is still some years away from reaching patients, writes Dr Claire Hastings.
Why phase I trials should be opened up to older cancer patients
There is concern that older patients are missing out on the chance to join innovative clinical trials. Steve Robinson finds new research could at last signal a shift in thinking.
Transforming drug discovery with an explosion of big data
Big data has the potential to transform the drug discovery landscape: Dr Eva Sharpe explains how.
How predictable is cancer?
An ICR researcher discusses the current limits of attempting to predict cancer’s next move, and how lessons from Darwin can help us find the best course of action to treat patients.
The genomics revolution and why we need to be smarter in our use of genetic data
Professor Nazneen Rahman spoke about implementing genomic medicine at London’s first Festival of Genomics last week. Dr Eva Sharpe picks out some of the highlights from the talk.
The strange case of the ‘self-curing’ cancer
Henry French blogs on an unusual cancer – and a new theory that could explain why it spontaneously cures without treatment.
Are changes to cancer medicine policy on the horizon?
Talks are underway on issues affecting access to cancer medicines in the UK, and The Institute of Cancer Research is at the discussion table.
A year in cancer research - we look back at some of the highlights of 2015
From new drug approvals to prestigious awards and a prime time documentary about cancer. We present some of our highlights from 2015
Every picture tells a story
ICR researchers were set the challenge of capturing in a single image the groundbreaking work they're doing to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
Mock trials, 3D printers and strawberry DNA – the ICR opens its doors to local students in Sutton
The ICR gave local sixth formers across Sutton the chance to find out about our research and careers in science at an open evening recently. Public Engagement Officer, Helen Craig talks us through some of her highlights of the evening.
NICE announces latest drug decisions – and it's mixed news for cancer drugs
There are mixed feelings at the ICR today as NICE announces its latest decisions on cancer drugs. Our Science Information and Policy Manager, Dr Eva Sharpe, explains the latest announcement.
Targeting cancers’ weak spot: DNA repair mechanisms
In a session at the NCRI Cancer Conference, scientists – including the ICR’s Professor Johann de Bono – discussed the development of new cancer treatments targeting DNA damage and the importance of research that moves from bench to bedside and back again.