Translational Sarcoma, Melanoma and Rare Tumour Surgery Group

Mr Myles Smith's group aims to translate basic science innovations generated at the ICR to advance the surgical treatment of cancer – for example, evaluating molecular markers to aid the definition of cancer at the time of surgery.


Our group aims to help the translation of imaging technologies developed at The Institute of Cancer Research to the clinic and bedside.

Tumour-specific preoperative and intraoperative imaging with targeted molecular probes holds great promise in cancer surgery. Improved ability to define the distribution of cancer at the time of surgery would better help define the extent and adequacy of resection, while minimising excision of healthy tissue.

Other benefits include intraoperative staging and the guidance of adjuvant treatments. Successful application of intraoperative targeted molecular imaging to cancer surgery has the potential to translate into improved local control and survival, while reducing the impact of curative interventions. We aim to help the translation of imaging technologies developed at The Institute of Cancer Research to the clinic and bedside.

Myles Smith

Honorary Faculty:

Translational Sarcoma, Melanoma and Rare Tumour Surgery Mr Myles Smith

Myles Smith is a Consultant General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist. After completing his surgical training through the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland's Higher Surgical Training scheme, he pursued a General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Toronto. He joined The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2015, where he focuses on sarcoma and melanoma treatment.

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Recent discoveries from this group

New research reveals how combining viruses with targeted drugs can boost cancer-killing immune responses

20/08/25

Two studies have uncovered how combining a cancer-killing reovirus with targeted cancer drugs can dramatically boost immune responses and tumour destruction – offering a promising route to more effective, personalised cancer therapies.
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A picture of an MRI scanner
New MRI scan can spot tiny traces of blood cancer after treatment

04/08/25

Whole-body MRI scans provide powerful insights into treatment effectiveness and long-term outcomes for patients with myeloma, an incurable but treatable blood cancer.  Results from the iTIMM study led by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London have shown that whole-body MRI scans (WB-MRI) can detect tiny traces of the disease, known as minimal residual disease (MRD), in the bone marrow after treatment. This can provide a crucial insight into how well patients with multiple myeloma are responding to treatment and whether they might relapse - offering a potential new standard in how this complex blood cancer is assessed. 
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Oral squamous cancer cell (white) being attacked by two cytotoxic T cells (red)
ASCO 2025: Immunotherapy gives head and neck cancer patients extra years disease-free

30/05/25

An immunotherapy helps patients live years longer without their cancer getting worse or coming back, a major phase III trial has found.
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By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143473295
ICR and life sciences company QBiotics launch new collaboration to study potential cancer drug derived from rainforest tree species

03/04/25 - Alison Halliday

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, are collaborating with life sciences company QBiotics to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms of a potential new cancer drug.
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