Cancer Research UK has tripled its investment in pancreatic cancer research, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment. The charity hopes to develop better treatments and improve survival rates for patients affected by the disease.
Doctors used PET scans to identify patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma who could safely stop using the potentially toxic drug bleomycin. This approach resulted in similar survival rates and fewer side effects for those who stopped bleomycin compared to those who continued it.
Researchers discovered that chemotherapy activates immune cells T cells within tumours, but also boosts cancer defences against immune attack. Effective immunotherapy treatments will have to block PD-L1 protein to target tumours effectively.
Researchers have discovered a new way to slow the growth of aggressive triple negative breast cancer by targeting hypoxia, or low oxygen levels. The study found that drug JQ1 can alter how cancer cells respond to hypoxia, slowing tumour growth and limiting blood vessel production.
A study analyzing over 34,000 lung cancer patients in England found that those aged 50-64 are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage compared to older age groups. Younger patients in their 70s are more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease.
A clinical trial has found that twice-daily radiotherapy is as effective as once-daily radiotherapy in treating small cell lung cancer, with similar survival rates and fewer side effects. The study's results have already changed clinical practice worldwide.
A new pre-surgery technique using an expandable tube may make colostomy bags redundant for emergency bowel cancer patients. The study found that less than half of those who had their bowel unblocked needed a colostomy bag, while more than two-thirds required one after emergency surgery.
A phase III clinical trial found that giving chemotherapy after radiotherapy delays further growth of anaplastic glioma and increases the number of patients alive at five years. The treatment improved survival for patients with this rare type of brain tumour, now being considered standard care.
Researchers have identified 40 mutated genes that contribute to breast cancer progression, with one gene, PIK3CA, found to lower survival chances for three subtypes. The study's findings could help develop targeted treatments and improve diagnostic tests.
A Cancer Research UK-funded study suggests an HIV drug could block the molecular switch that boosts cells' ability to survive treatment, making treatments more potent and delaying drug resistance. The research, carried out in mice, implies that nelfinavir could be used to combat melanoma skin cancers.
A new blood test can detect early warning signs of skin cancer relapse in advanced melanoma patients by tracking levels of circulating tumour DNA. The test identifies new mutations in genes like NRAS and PI3K, which may cause the relapse.
A study by Cancer Research UK found that UK diagnoses of childhood kidney cancer, Wilms' tumour, occur at a later stage compared to German patients. This difference is attributed to variations in healthcare systems between the two countries.
Scientists have discovered unique mutations on all cancer cells, known as tumour antigens, which can be targeted by the immune system. This breakthrough could lead to more effective immunotherapies and personalized treatment plans for patients with advanced stages of cancer.
A Cancer Research UK study found that ethnic minority women in the UK are more likely to believe cancer is incurable and down to fate, which may explain lower attendance at cancer screenings. The study also found that fear of cancer and language barriers can affect attitudes towards cancer.
A new test has shown that patients with advanced bowel cancer who have high levels of two proteins can benefit from a combination of drugs, leading to improved cancer growth. The test could help select the best treatment for each individual patient, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
Researchers identified EPHA2 as a key regulator of breast cancer cell spread from blood vessels. The study sheds light on how tumour cells interact with blood vessel walls and exchange information to control their movement.
Research suggests that adding a simple endorsement from a patient's GP practice to the invitation letter could increase the number of people taking the bowel cancer screening test by up to 40,000 annually. This would lead to an additional 61 cases of bowel cancer and 165 high or medium-risk polyps being detected each year.
New figures show that screening picks up the majority of bowel cancer cases at an early stage. Screening detected more than a third of bowel cancers at stage one and fewer than one in ten advanced to stage four. Patients whose cancers are picked up at an earlier stage have better chances of survival due to effective treatment.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women carrying an inherited BRIP1 gene fault are over three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer. The research also showed that these women tend to be diagnosed with aggressive cancers at a later age and have a higher risk of dying from the disease.
A new study led by Sheffield Hallam University is exploring the potential of exercise as a treatment for prostate cancer. The PANTERA study involves 50 men with non-spreading cancer, who will either undergo supervised exercise sessions or receive information on exercise benefits but no sessions.*
The canSAR database has been upgraded with 3D protein structures and maps of cancer communication networks, allowing scientists to design new treatments more effectively. The updated database will enable researchers to identify key targets for future cancer drug discovery and develop innovative drugs more rapidly.
Researchers have developed a computer model that applies social network analysis techniques to identify new ways of treating cancer. The model maps the interactions between cancer-causing proteins, predicting which ones will be most effectively targeted with drugs.
A study of over 21,000 women found that only 1 in 6 with increased breast cancer risk take preventive medication, despite being eligible for clinical trials. Most women who started the medication continued taking it for at least a year, but usage declined over time.
Researchers found that cancer cells need help from the surrounding tissue to establish and form a new tumor. The faster the surroundings change, the faster the cancer cells will grow. THSB2 protein helps cancer cells adapt their environment, activating fibroblasts to support cancer growth.
Scientists tracked breast cancer development using tumour DNA shed into bloodstream, reflecting genetic changes and treatment response. The study provides proof-of-principle for real-time monitoring of cancer, potentially reducing need for invasive biopsies.
Researchers have identified a protein inside blood vessels at the invasive edge of brain tumours, enabling more accurate mapping and potentially improving treatment outcomes. The new imaging technique could lead to better surgery and radiotherapy for patients with brain tumours.
Studies show that having one child reduces the risk of certain types of ovarian cancer, such as serous, mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell tumours. Women who have had their fallopian tubes cut or clipped also experience a lower risk of developing these cancers.
Research found that average survival was less than six months, with only 36% surviving beyond one year. Patients diagnosed through emergency routes tend to have more advanced cancers, contributing to a poorer prognosis. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis in improving cancer survival rates.
A Cancer Research UK survey found that around 20% of unvaccinated ethnic school girls believe they don't need the HPV vaccine. Reasons cited include lack of sexual activity and perceived side effects, highlighting barriers to vaccination uptake.
New liposome technology allows for targeted delivery of cancer drugs, using heat-activated triggers to control release. This innovative approach could reduce collateral damage and improve treatment efficacy.
The world's largest clinical trial on aspirin to prevent cancer recurrence has launched in the UK. The Add-Aspirin trial will recruit 11,000 patients and run for up to 12 years to determine if daily aspirin intake can stop or delay cancers from returning.
Scientists have developed a blood test that can pair cancer patients with the most suitable therapy for their disease, giving real-time updates on tumor progression. This approach could make diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring quicker, cheaper, and less invasive.
A study by Cancer Research UK and King's College London found that cancers diagnosed at a later stage have higher mortality rates, with death rates increasing by seven per cent in practices using the two-week referral route least often. Increasing GP cancer awareness could help reduce deaths.
A study by Cancer Research UK found that adding extras like gloves and 'poo catchers' to the bowel cancer screening kit can increase participation rates. The London study saw a rise in uptake from around 43% to 54% among 60-74 year olds, with nearly 26,000 extra people taking up screening in London alone.
Researchers discovered a method to reprogram fibroblasts, healthy tissue around tumors, to trap and contain cancer cells. This approach reduces the movement of cancer cells away from the tumor, showing promise in preventing tumor spread. The study has potential for various cancer types and could lead to better ways to control the disease.
A new trial has shown that giving patients fewer but higher doses of radiotherapy is as effective in treating prostate cancer as longer treatment periods. The study found that this approach resulted in fewer side effects and reduced the need for hospital visits, potentially saving over 150,000 trips per year.
Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.
A new bowel cancer screening test has seen low uptake in pilot areas, with only half of those invited taking the opportunity. Despite its potential to reduce cases by up to 33%, more men than women took the test, and people from poorer neighbourhoods were less likely to participate.
Cancer Research UK scientists found that some cancer cells can survive gene damage caused by HDAC inhibitor drugs, triggering a 'survival' response. This mechanism rebalances tags and maintains normal gene activity, making it harder for the drug to kill cancer cells.
Scientists have identified a FOXC1 gene that causes more aggressive cancer in AML patients. When switched on in blood cell tissue, it stunts the development of blood cells and stops them maturing into normal specialized blood cells, leading to faster cancer growth.
Researchers have found that combining aspirin with immunotherapy can slow cancer growth and unleash the immune system's full power. By stopping the production of PGE2, a molecule that dampens down the immune response, COX inhibitors like aspirin may lift the protective barrier around tumors, making cancer more susceptible to treatment
Researchers discovered that treating tumors with chemotherapy can trigger a response in the immune system, leading to tumor growth. By combining chemotherapy with an immune-blocking drug, they found that this response could be slowed, potentially preventing tumor regrowth.
A new Cancer Research UK study reveals that England's cancer survival rates remain lower than those of countries with similar healthcare systems, despite steady improvements. The study found five-year survival from breast cancer improved more in England than in four leading countries, but overall cancer survival was lowest in England.
Researchers have discovered that neuroblastoma cells produce a molecule called 'arginase' that breaks down arginine, an essential energy source for immune cells. This creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that impairs the body's ability to fight the disease.
A study of over 70,000 cancer patients found that those referred late by their GP were more likely to be dissatisfied with their care. Patients who experienced referral delays reported negative experiences across various aspects of their care, including diagnosis and treatment.
New research published in Science Translational Medicine found that smaller doses of resveratrol are more effective in preventing bowel cancer in mice than high doses. The study showed a 50% reduction in tumour size with lower doses compared to a 25% reduction with higher doses.
Researchers have identified five distinct types of prostate cancer with unique genetic fingerprints, which could help doctors predict the aggressiveness of tumors and choose the best course of treatment. This breakthrough discovery has important implications for how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated in the future.
Researchers have uncovered how key proteins can switch on RAD51, allowing it to repair cancer-causing DNA damage in cells. Women with faulty RAD51 and BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are at higher risk of developing these cancers.
Researchers at Cancer Research UK have identified a protein called Bcl-xL that helps cancer cells survive chemotherapy. Combining drugs targeting Bcl-xL with taxanes showed increased killing of cancer cells in the lab. This combination could improve treatment for patients receiving taxanes and reduce side effects.
A new trial by Cancer Research UK has shown that omitting doxorubicin from treatment for children with stage II-III, intermediate-risk Wilms' tumour can be done safely without affecting survival chances. This reduces the risk of irreversible heart problems in later life.