This weekend marks World Cancer Day 2023 – a day that unites people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness and take action.
It’s been another busy year for cancer research in Liverpool as our scientists continue to work on cancer prevention, screening, diagnostics and therapeutics for the benefit of cancer patients.
Here, we round up our cancer research news stories from the past 12 months.
Improving chemotherapy effectiveness
In February last year, a new study identified how immune cells in the body can promote the regrowth of cancer cells after chemotherapy withdrawal. Led by Professor Michael Schmid and Dr Ainhoa Mielgo, the research will help improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with certain cancers. Read the full story…
Tackling immunotherapy side effects
Researchers in Liverpool and the US reported a breakthrough in May that could lead to improved immunotherapy treatments for some cancer patients. Co-led by Professor Christian Ottensmeier, the study provided critical clues to why many immunotherapies trigger dangerous side effects and pointed to a better strategy for treating patients with solid tumours, such as head and neck cancers. Read the full story…
Lung cancer screening
Pioneering Liverpool research contributed to the UK National Screening Committee’s decision in June 2022 to recommend the introduction of targeted lung cancer screening for high-risk people aged 55-74. Work led by Professor John Field over the last three decades has played an essential role in establishing the potential of lung cancer screening for early diagnosis in the UK. Read the full story…
Next generation radiotherapy
In October, we announced that University of Liverpool physicists were providing their expertise to a new UKRI research project that will underpin the next generation of ion radiotherapy treatments for cancer. The £2million project is supporting the establishment of the Ion Therapy Research Facility (ITRF) and brings together leading UK and international clinicians, scientists, engineers and industry to exploit the UK’s advanced expertise in developing new laser technologies for medical applications. Read the full story…
Blood cancer breakthrough
In November, researchers defined five new subgroups of the most common type of blood cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and associated these with clinical outcomes. The collaborative study analysed the entire genome sequences from 485 patients with CLL who were enrolled in national clinical trials led by the Universities of Liverpool and Leeds, and could lead to more personalised patient care. Read the full story…
Chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Chemotherapy before surgery could benefit patients with pancreatic cancer, when it is caught early enough, a feasibility trial led by Professor Paula Ghaneh reported in December. The findings open the door for further research to boost the case for pre-operative chemotherapy to be used routinely in the NHS. Read the full story…
Scale of secondary breast cancer
In December, a study led by Professor Carlo Palmieri estimated that the number of people living with secondary breast cancer in England is far higher than previously thought and also on the rise. The research, which found that around 57,000 people are currently living with the condition, is a vital first step in better understanding the picture of secondary breast cancer in England and could help shape future NHS cancer services. Read the full story…
Funding for new treatments
The search for new cancer treatments in Liverpool received a major funding investment of up to £1.5 million, providing future hope for people diagnosed with the disease. Liverpool’s Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), led by Professor Daniel Palmer, had its funding renewed in January for the next five years to help doctors and scientists find the cancer treatments of the future. Read the full story…
Spin-out to develop new medicines
A new University of Liverpool spin-out, Sulantrix, was announced in January that will explore pseudoenzymes as drug targets for new cancer therapies. Co-founder Professor Patrick Eyers is leading the science as they seek to integrate personalised approaches to find new ways to treat naïve and drug-resistant cancers. Read the full story…
For more information about World Cancer Day please visit www.worldcancerday.org