Cancer genes

• Personal Stories

“It must be more than just bad luck – it must be genetic”: Three women with BRCA gene mutations share their experiences

As we look back on 30 years since the discovery of BRCA1, here three women with faulty BRCA genes share their experiences of cancer.   As we look back on 30 years since the discovery of BRCA1, here three women with faulty BRCA genes share their experiences of cancer.  

9 October 2024

• Health & Medicine
• Personal Stories

Li Fraumeni Syndrome and the start of precision cancer prevention

We're funding the UK's first precision cancer prevention trial unit. It's testing a drug that could help protect people with Li Fraumeni Syndrome, a genetic condition that can lead to a more than 90% lifetime risk of cancer, against the disease. We're funding the UK's first precision cancer prevention trial unit. It's testing a drug that could help protect people with Li Fraumeni Syndrome, a genetic condition that can lead to a more than 90% lifetime risk of cancer, against the disease.

19 September 2023

• Science & Technology

What can elephants teach us about cancer?

For World Elephant Day, we're taking a look at why elephants so rarely get cancer. Could the ways they protect themselves help people too? For World Elephant Day, we're taking a look at why elephants so rarely get cancer. Could the ways they protect themselves help people too?

12 August 2023

• For Researchers

Moving target – retrotransposable elements and cancer

Links between retrotransposable elements and cancer have deep roots – George Kassiotis gets into their chequered past and how we might utilise these ancient viral infections   Links between retrotransposable elements and cancer have deep roots – George Kassiotis gets into their chequered past and how we might utilise these ancient viral infections  

11 July 2023

• Science & Technology

The ecDNA story – catching the mastermind behind cancer evolution

Aggressive cancers use ecDNA to evolve quickly and resist treatment. This is how we found that out, and how we're going to stop it. Aggressive cancers use ecDNA to evolve quickly and resist treatment. This is how we found that out, and how we're going to stop it.

20 February 2023

• Science & Technology

Picking out the patterns: How scientists are finding cancer’s signatures in tumour DNA

An international team of researchers have identified 21 common faults in cancer DNA using an algorithm that works similarly to Netflix An international team of researchers have identified 21 common faults in cancer DNA using an algorithm that works similarly to Netflix

15 June 2022

• For Researchers

Taking on DNA repair to tackle cancer

Pioneering therapeutics targeting the damage repair mechanism of DNA polymerase theta in a range of cancers have entered human trials - we tell the story from discovery to translation. Pioneering therapeutics targeting the damage repair mechanism of DNA polymerase theta in a range of cancers have entered human trials - we tell the story from discovery to translation.

5 November 2021

• For Researchers

The award-winning researcher behind next generation sequencing

We speak to Professor Shankar Balasubramanian about his work on NGS, his incredible translational journey and the power of the pub… We speak to Professor Shankar Balasubramanian about his work on NGS, his incredible translational journey and the power of the pub…

15 October 2021

• Science & Technology

New method analyses DNA changes with ‘unprecedented accuracy’

Using the technology, scientists have revealed that cell division isn’t necessarily the main cause of genetic changes in human tissue DNA. Using the technology, scientists have revealed that cell division isn’t necessarily the main cause of genetic changes in human tissue DNA.

29 April 2021

• Science & Technology
• Health & Medicine

Genetic changes in tumours may predict who will respond to immunotherapy

Genetic changes in tumours could be used to predict who will benefit from immunotherapy, and who should receive other treatments.  Genetic changes in tumours could be used to predict who will benefit from immunotherapy, and who should receive other treatments. 

27 January 2021

• Science & Technology
• Health & Medicine

Discovering the BRCA2 gene – 25 years on

25 years ago, a team of our scientists were celebrating. Their risky strategy had paid off. 25 years ago, a team of our scientists were celebrating. Their risky strategy had paid off.

14 January 2021

• Science & Technology

Evolution, sex and TRACERx: how cancer’s ‘spare tyre’ helps it survive  

New research reveals how some cancer cells double their genome to help them survive. Find out more about cancer's 'spare tyre'. New research reveals how some cancer cells double their genome to help them survive. Find out more about cancer's 'spare tyre'.

5 March 2020