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Cancer News

The latest news, analysis and opinion from Cancer Research UK

Cancer biology

Showing 12 out of 399 results
A microscope image of a bowel organoid.

Researchers at UCL Cancer Institute are closing in on answers to one of bowel cancers' biggest challenges – why people’s cancers respond to treatment differently Researchers at UCL Cancer Institute are closing in on answers to one of bowel cancers' biggest challenges – why people’s cancers respond to treatment differently

by Henry Scowcroft | In depth | 9 May 2025

9 May 2025

This entry is part 23 of 27 in the series That Cancer Conversation
A green beam of light from a radiotherapy machine.

Modern radiotherapy is used to treat more than 140,000 people with cancer in the UK every year. We've brought it a long way since 1896. Here's the full story. Modern radiotherapy is used to treat more than 140,000 people with cancer in the UK every year. We've brought it a long way since 1896. Here's the full story.

by Tim Gunn | In depth | 17 February 2025

17 February 2025

Salmonella bacteria (rod-shaped organisms coloured blue) in a bowel cancer tumour (coloured beige). The bacteria looks like it is rushing into a hole in the tumour tissue.

Our researchers are modifying Salmonella bacteria into a treatment that can work with the immune system to attack bowel cancer from two sides at once. Our researchers are modifying Salmonella bacteria into a treatment that can work with the immune system to attack bowel cancer from two sides at once.

by Tim Gunn, Fiona MacLeod | News | 23 January 2025

23 January 2025

Lucy Brooks

Dr Lucy Brooks talks glioblastoma microenvironments and her excitement around potential new treatments Dr Lucy Brooks talks glioblastoma microenvironments and her excitement around potential new treatments

by Phil Prime | Interview | 30 October 2024

30 October 2024

A sample of a mouse model of a tumour seen through team Rosetta's tools.

Cancer Grand Challenges team Rosetta found how some of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat breast cancers get the energy they need to grow and spread so quickly. Now we can see about slowing them down for good. Cancer Grand Challenges team Rosetta found how some of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat breast cancers get the energy they need to grow and spread so quickly. Now we can see about slowing them down for good.

by Tim Gunn | In depth | 24 September 2024

24 September 2024

A medical professional holding a tube containing a blood sample

Researchers in Manchester have developed CUPiD, a blood test that could transform the diagnostic journey of someone with cancer of unknown primary. Researchers in Manchester have developed CUPiD, a blood test that could transform the diagnostic journey of someone with cancer of unknown primary.

by Jacob Smith | In depth | 23 April 2024

23 April 2024

Several disposable e-cigarettes in different colours

You may have seen media coverage of a study that looked at changes in different types of cells from people who smoked and people who vaped. Let's break down what the results really show. You may have seen media coverage of a study that looked at changes in different types of cells from people who smoked and people who vaped. Let's break down what the results really show.

by Julia Cotterill | Analysis | 20 March 2024

20 March 2024

Cancer cell dividing

Getting to grips with metastasis means understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind this complex biology, says Dr Simone Zaccaria... Getting to grips with metastasis means understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind this complex biology, says Dr Simone Zaccaria...

by Cancer Research UK | In depth | 27 February 2024

27 February 2024

Cells with nuclei in blue and mitochondria (energy factories) in green.

Our researchers have found mutations that make cancers much more likely to respond to immunotherapy. It's a chance to make breakthrough treatments work for many more people. Our researchers have found mutations that make cancers much more likely to respond to immunotherapy. It's a chance to make breakthrough treatments work for many more people.

by Tim Gunn | Analysis | 31 January 2024

31 January 2024

Breast cancer cells taken as part of a biopsy shown under the microscope

New research we've funded has found that breast cancers can break down molecules in their support system to use as a source of nutrients. As healthy cells can't use this chemical pathway to make food, it could lead to a new targeted breast cancer treatment. New research we've funded has found that breast cancers can break down molecules in their support system to use as a source of nutrients. As healthy cells can't use this chemical pathway to make food, it could lead to a new targeted breast cancer treatment.

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 17 January 2024

17 January 2024