Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

14/01/2026

Behind the Lab Coat is back! Get to know the people who are making amazing science happen throughout our Institute in this quick interview series.

As a Principal Scientific Associate in one of our in-house Core Facilities, Ian Hall supports scientists across diverse research topics. Watch his video and find out more about his role in the article linked below.

https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/behind-the-lab-coat/ian-hall-principal-scientific-associate/

05/01/2026

A new trial has found that a drug mimicking the hormone progesterone has anti-cancer activity when used together with conventional anti-oestrogen treatment for women with breast cancer.

This progress started with discovery research at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. Professor Jason Carroll and colleagues helped reveal how progesterone can influence breast cancer growth, laying the groundwork for testing this idea in patients.

That work was then taken into the clinic through the PIONEER trial, led by Dr Richard Baird at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Rebecca Burrell, CRUK Cambridge Institute and CUH.

19/12/2025

Our Independent Clinical Fellow Dr Richard Mair is to co-lead the newly established Brain Tumour Research Consortium, funded by a £13.7 million investment from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Brain tumours are among the toughest cancers to treat. This world-leading consortium will help doctors and researchers understand the disease better, test new innovative treatments earlier, and make trials available to more adults and children closer to home.

03/12/2025

New research from our Winton Group has revealed that the order of cancer-driving mutations plays an important role in whether tumours in the intestine can develop. These findings show that early genetic changes can have a significant influence on cancer risk.

The study, published today in Nature, found that many intestinal cells that do carry cancer-driving mutations are then removed through strong negative selection. Only a small minority survive long enough to influence the future development of a tumour.

This work was made possible by our Biological Resource Unit, Genomics, Microscopy, Histopathology and Bioinformatics core facilities.

Find out more: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/order-of-cancer-driving-mutations-affects-the-chance-of-tumour-development/

28/11/2025

A grandmother living with a brain tumour says taking part in a pioneering trial changing how researchers prevent, detect and treat cancer has restored "hope and happiness".

Read more: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-11-27/grandmother-says-new-cancer-trial-has-restored-hope-and-happiness

25/11/2025

Congratulations to Aleksandra Janowska who has won this year’s Postgraduate Student Thesis Prize for her work unlocking new avenues for studying the role of cell identity in the origin of cancer.

The Prize is awarded each year to a student who has undertaken an outstanding project to the highest standards during the course of their PhD study at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.

20/11/2025

A new drug aimed at improving the experience of patients receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer has now entered a clinical trial.

The drug, known as VP-002, comes from research led by Dr Michael Gill and Dr Tony Wu working alongside Dr Bristi Basu of Cambridge University Hospitals and Cambridge-based company Cycle Pharmaceuticals.

The life expectancy for people diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer is less than a year and, when diagnosed, many people are too unwell to benefit from existing treatments. Where treatment is possible, the leading option is intensive chemotherapy that often comes with side effects and little, if any, improvements in quality of life. Doctors hope VP-002 will allow for lower doses of chemotherapy, reducing its side effects and improving patient experience.

17/10/2025

The Narita Group has been awarded a Cancer Research UK Biology to Prevention award.

In this short audio clip, Iannish Sadien, a postdoc and clinical lecturer in the group, discusses the aims of the team's research and how the funding will enable the next stage of their work both in the lab and alongside patients.

15/10/2025

🆕 Join our panel and influence the future of cancer research

We want to make sure that everything we do is informed by the people most affected by cancer – patients and their loved ones. That’s why we are piloting a new Patient Panel to bring patient perspectives into the heart of our Institute’s strategy and decision-making.

We welcome applications from anyone affected by cancer, whether you’re a patient or loved one, so long as you are aged 18 and over, and are living within Cambridgeshire and East England. You do not need previous experience on patient panels.

Find out more and apply: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/patient-and-public-involvement-panel-member/

10/10/2025

"Taking part is going to be moving and uplifting in equal parts."

Scientists from our Carroll Group are entering this year's Cambridge Shine Walk - one of a series of Cancer Research UK evening walking fundraising events, taking place across the UK.

Dr Rao is calling on people of all ages and abilities to grab their glowsticks and walk alongside her in solidarity with those affected by cancer. Her motivation stems from both her research and a close family member’s battle with breast cancer.

24/09/2025

Team ILLUMINE and our Director Prof Greg Hannon have been shortlisted for the final stages of Cancer Grand Challenges. Their project looks to map and characterise the cancer dark proteome - a group of mysterious and largely unknown proteins that exist in our cells.

Cancer Grand Challenges is the only initiative of its kind in cancer. By bringing together leading researchers from different disciplines and institutes around the world, global super teams are formed to take on the most complex challenges in cancer research.

Team ILLUMINE will now compete for up to £20m in funding alongside 12 other multidisciplinary global teams.

https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/prof-greg-hannon-shortlisted-for-prestigious-cancer-grand-challenge/

21/07/2025

Beyond carrying out vital research, our staff are involved in numerous science outreach and training activities throughout the year.

Recently, we hosted a cohort of Year 12 students for our annual Careers Lab. This week-long work experience programme is designed to inspire the next generation of potential STEM and cancer research scientists and supporters.

Find out more about Careers Lab and other student opportunities: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/students/