Latest news

Changing healthcare through personalised medicine

Three leading cancer medicine researchers, including Professor Lord Ara Darzi, offer a perspective on the changes that may be needed in healthcare services to enable personalised medicine.

Writing in The New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers, highlight the challenges and the potential for this form of medicine to save lives.

Gene test for lung cancer

Researchers in the US have developed a gene test that could help identify which lung cancer patients may benefit from extra chemotherapy.

This research could potentially help tailor treatment for some patients with non-small cell lung cancer who despite early diagnosis, still have low survival rates.

Potential of genetic testing in the NHS

The Human Genomics Strategy Group, a UK government advisory group issued a report on the potential of genetic testing in the NHS.

The group makes six recommendations including further investment into technology and training to better improve disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Unique collaboration to lead the way for the NHS

Channel 4 News reports on how a collaboration between academic researchers and doctors in Leeds, could lead the way for the NHS to make more of the life saving advances in new genetic technology.

Reaping the benefits of this technology could help with more effective diagnosis and treatment of several diseases including cancer.

Using genomic data to cure cancer

The Economist reports on how a leading US cancer researcher plans to use genomic data gathered by the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) to cure five types of cancer.

The article also reports on how local philanthropists are supporting this project.

The future of oncology in personalised medicine

A pharma industry magazine reports on the future of oncology, focussing specifically on the therapeutic promise of personalised medicine.

The article also features the Cancer Research UK Stratified Medicine Programme.drug development press.

Sensing the gene

Elements, an online physics magazine reports on how an Oxford University spin-off company is quietly working on innovative technology to 'sense' genes by colour.

If successful, this could revolutionise how doctors can use genetic data, going from waiting weeks for the results of genetics tests to days instead.

UK oesophageal cancer rates the highest in Europe

The Guardian reports on the high rates of oesophageal cancer in the UK.

The article also highlights that the UK rates are comparable to other poorer nations which historically have equally high rates of this cancer type, as well as the importance of diet and exercise.

Matching cancer patients to clinical trials

Researchers in the US are working on using high-tech DNA machines to match patients to the most appropriate clinical trial.

Although in the early stages, this promising work could mean more efficient and successful clinical trials in the near future, ultimately resulting in doctors being able to tailor cancer treatment.

The Catalyst Club genomics initiative launched

The Cancer Research UK genomics initiative, funded by The Catalyst Club, officially launched on 18 November 2011.

The multi million pound research programme aims to use cutting edge technology to look for cancer causing genes, in order to develop new treatment and predict how well a patient responds to the treatment.

Rising cancer rates set to challenge NHS

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer highlights the challenge that NHS will face if it does not start to plan for the projected 45 percent rise in cancer cases over the next 20 years.

The biggest anticipated rise is in the number of cancer cases in males. On the upside, researchers predict breast cancer rates to fall.

The biggest premature killer

In this special posting on the Cancer Research UK Science Update Blog, we look at the implications of rising cancer cases.

Despite treatment advances in the last 40 years resulting in more people surviving cancer, over 40 percent of men and women still die of cancer before their time.

Highlights from NCRI 2011

Personalised bowel cancer care, inherited risk and cancer screening, and the cancer genome were the hot topics at the 2011 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) international conference.

Leading UK and international researchers gathered in Liverpool over three days to present their latest findings to peers, journalists and cancer patients.

Taking the snapshot

Doctors in the US have developed a way to test patients for a wide range of gene variants simultaneously, allowing them to provide more effective, targeted therapy within a matter of weeks.personalise cancer treatment.

This test, called SNaPShot, is aimed at patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.

Revolutionising lung cancer treatment

Cassandra Jardine, a lung cancer sufferer, writes of her experience of genetic testing for a rare faulty gene linked to lung cancer.

This test could help doctors to prescribe the right treatment, and in Cassandra Jardine's case, it allowed her to be enrolled on a clinical trial comparing a new drug with standard chemotherapy.

Using breast cancer drugs to treat other cancers

Researchers have discovered that a class of drugs used to treat breast cancers could also treat other types of cancers, specifically head and neck cancers.

This research could help doctors target treatment for head and neck cancer in patients who have similar cellular characteristics as breast cancer sufferers.

New way to kill cancer cells

Nottingham University researchers have developed a new drug that could give a new way to kill cancer cells in patients with faulty BRCA genes.

This drug works specifically by blocking the production of a particular type of enzyme which is linked to several types of cancer. The research offers the first strong evidence of a potential new way of treatment.

Drug resistance and personalised medicine

In this special posting on the Cancer Research UK Science Update blog, we look at the role of genetic and molecular profiling in tailoring treatment for patients.

Research presented at a recent conference shows that these tests could help identify how well a patient responds to certain cancer drugs.

Approving expensive cancer drugs

The Telegraph reports on how genetic testing could help increase the availability of expensive cancer drugs to patients.

The test recently used in a clinical trial helped identify which proportion of bowel cancer patients would really benefit from a specific but expensive drug.

Silencing the gene

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered that switching off a gene called CERT makes breast cancer cells more sensitive to a range of drugs.

This research could also lead to new tests to help doctors determine which breast cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy by measuring levels of this protein.

Preparing the NHS for the genetic revolution

BBC News reports on the urgent need for the NHS to develop the tools and expertise to make full use of the revolution in genetic testing.

An independent report stresses the growing importance of personalised medicine in providing national healthcare.

Brave new world

The Channel 4 science series Brave New World looks at how individually tailored cocktail of drugs is making a revolution in cancer treatment.

The programme highlights the groundbreaking work scientists around the world are doing in fighting for our survival.

James Caan hosts inaugural Catalyst Club Patron's Dinner

Over 50 guests attended a special dinner hosted by James Caan to recognise the important contribution that Catalyst Club members are making to Cancer Research UK's work.

Held at Millbank Tower's Altitude 360˚ venue, guests most importantly got to meet several of the scientists working on Catalyst Club funded projects.

Testing younger prostate cancer patients

A new study, co-funded by Cancer Research UK demonstrates the potential benefit of gene testing in under 65s with prostate cancer.

The test could help identify and prioritise patients for clinical trials on new targeted and personalised treatments.

Separating stomach cancer

Researchers from Singapore have identified the genetic differences that distinguish two distinct types of stomach cancer. This research could give clues to better ways of treating the disease.

Current tests lack the accuracy needed to predict how a patient will respond to treatment. Genetic testing could help doctors prescribe the right drug.

New drug trial for hereditary cancers

A Cancer Research UK-funded trial of a new drug for patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer due to inherited gene faults was launched at the Oxford Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC).

This trial is one of a growing number looking at matching patients to the most appropriate treatment based on their genetic makeup and that of their cancer.

Starting the revolution

Amidst the unrest and unforgettable fashions of the 80s, a handful of British scientists were quietly starting a revolution in how we understand the causes of cancer.

This quiet revolution has since led to the birth of an innovative approach to treating cancer patients - targeted therapies and personalised medicine.