| Dear Voornaam
Welcome to your final Cancer Research UK Research Update email of 2022.
More people are surviving cancer in the UK since we were founded 20 years ago death rates have come down by 16%, with lung cancer even seeing a 20% decrease.
Many things played a part in this progress but there is no doubt that the dedication and talent of our research community helped hugely. Thanks to our supporters, we have been able to invest 5.4 billion into life-changing research, carried out by thousands of researchers across more than 350 institutions since we were founded in 2002.
Drugs linked to this research are used by 3 out of every 4 cancer patients treated by NHS England. We have also been bringing prevention research to the forefront of our strategy by developing screening programmes, improving symptom awareness among the public, and influencing government policy.
We are committing to spend at least 1.5 billion on research over the next 5 years to continue making progress and coming closer to a world free from the fear of cancer.
As we wrap up 2022, were now looking back at the top 13 research highlights of the year.
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OUR RESEARCH STRATEGY SPARKS QUESTIONS In March we shared our refreshed research strategy with you, stimulating a vibrant discussion with our research community on topics from clinical trials and cancer inequalities to training and diversity and inclusion.
Rewatch the launch broadcast, with Karen Vousden, Charles Swanton, Iain Foulkes, and Catherine Elliot answering questions from our research community and read our answers to your questions.
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| EXPANDING OUR HORIZONS Translating your work into effective tools, tests and treatments is hugely important if we are to have an impact for patients. That's why, in April, we launched Cancer Research Horizons.
This new approach to therapeutic innovation united our commercial partnerships with our drug discovery capabilities and network of world-class commercial expertise into one team.
Iain Foulkes talked to us about the decision to launch Cancer Research Horizons and how it could hugely transform our impact.
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4 NEW TEAMS TO TAKE ON CANCERS TOUGHEST CHALLENGES Cancer is a global problem that demands global collaboration. Cancer Grand Challenges is our bold solution a funding initiative co-funded and co-founded with the National Cancer Institute in the US that provides teams with 20m to come together, think differently and take on some of cancers toughest challenges.
A few months ago we announced 4 new Cancer Grand Challenges teams. They are exploring cachexia, extrachromosomal DNA, solid tumours in children and how many cells retain normal phenotypes despite carrying cancer-causing mutations. They join a growing global community of more than 700 investigators taking on 10 challenges, representing 10 teams across 10 countries and nearly 70 research institutions. |
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BIG CONFERENCE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT Back in April the great and the good of cancer research descended on New Orleans for the AACR conference. There was incredible research from many Cancer Research UK-funded teams, and the talk of the show was a raft of results coming from our flagship lung cancer study, TRACERx.
The largest and most detailed genetic study of its kind in lung cancer made for some incredible talks covering clonal evolution, the role of air pollution and even cancer cachexia. And the discoveries will keep coming says project lead Professor Charles Swanton: I suspect well still be analysing data from TRACERx for another decade at least. |
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| THE CANCER METABOLISM RENAISSANCE: PROFESSOR KAREN VOUSDENS JOURNEY Breakthroughs in p53 research have ushered a whole new class of medicines and our outgoing Chief Scientist, Professor Karen Vousden, has been at the heart of it.
In August we sat down with her in our Cancer Research Matters podcast and reflected on her career and research around the tumour suppressor protein, p53 and in developing the HPV vaccine.
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BUILDING A PIPELINE FOR THE FUTURE LEADERS OF CANCER RESEARCH Our inaugural Black in Cancer Conference was a major highlight of 2022. Here, we learned that we can all provide support and encouragement to empower the next generation of Black researchers and thats exactly the aim of the Black in Cancer mentorship programme.
On the back of its first successful cycle, we spoke to mentor-mentee pairing Melville and Jamie. Melville joined with an idea of her career aspirations, but not fully knowing how to get there. She was matched with Jamie, an academic who wants to help address the issue of diversity in higher education.
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| UNLOCKING THE POWER OF BIG DATA Data science can accelerate insights into the biology, prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. Melissa Lewis Brown, our Head of Research Data Strategy, shared the steps were taking to leverage this enormous potential.
We published our new Research Data Strategy earlier this year to set out how were going to get the most scientific value out of all the essential clinical and discovery data generated through our research. |
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WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHATS NORMAL? Autism isnt something that comes and goes its intrinsically linked to who I am and the way I experience the world. In February Sebastian Greenhough, principal scientific officer at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, started a conversation about being autistic following a late diagnosis in his 30s.
Like many autistic people, in the right conditions I thrive, says Sebastian. Ive been fortunate that I havent been held back too much during my education and career. Its part of the deal, but its not all bad. For instance, having heightened senses and a detail-focussed mind is very useful in the lab.
Sebastians now helping to lead a disability and neurodiversity group at the Beatson Institute so that theres a safe space for discussion and to help build a more inclusive work environment. |
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| CELEBRATING CANCER RESEARCH NURSES In October Jo Hargroves from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust won the Excellence in Cancer Research Nursing category of the Royal College of Nursings annual Nursing Awards.
Jo created the Cancer Research Professionals course, designed to give new staff the education and grounding needed to deliver complex clinical cancer studies. Jo plans to expand nationwide to help nurses starting out in the world of cancer clinical research.
Find out more about Jo and the other finalists, the impact their work has on patient care and how theyre contributing to the development of new and improved cancer treatment. |
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A RADICAL STEP-CHANGE IN OUR PREVENTION STRATEGY Earlier this year we published our new prevention research strategy. It aims to inform a new wave of preventative interventions that are precisely targeted to drive down cancer incidence equitably across society.
Our strategy outlines how well work with our research community to bring cancer biology into prevention, deepen our understanding of risk and use behavioural, pharmacological and immunological approaches to develop new ways to prevent cancer. |
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| FUELLING THE PUBLICS APPETITE FOR CANCER RESEARCH Communicating research in a compelling and understandable way is a powerful tool to build trust and empathy between researchers and the public.
Throughout 2022, the Cancer Revolutions exhibition has connected visitors with the stories of people affected by cancer and those who research it at the Science Museum. With over 100 objects, virtual media and a 2m-high tumour installation, it turns cancer research into an immersive experience.
Professor Frances Balkwill (group leader at Barts Cancer Institute) and Hana Dethlefsen (exhibitions manager at the Crick) both share their thoughts on science communication and their top tips on engaging the public.
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CELEBRATING THE UKS MOST INNOVATIVE AND ENTERPRISING EFFORTS IN ONCOLOGY "Im honoured and grateful that my vision of promoting inclusive global research and innovation in cancer has been recognised," says Susanti Susanti, early-career entrepreneur winner.
This year our innovation engine, Cancer Research Horizons, launched its first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards to recognise innovative and enterprising individuals and companies working to translate discoveries into benefit for cancer patients. |
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| OVER 5BN OF ECONOMIC IMPACT GENERATED BY CANCER RESEARCH INVESTMENT In a year eclipsed with economic gloom, some positive news shone through from a Cancer Research UK-commissioned report. Not only does cancer research help save lives, its proven to bolster economic growth, driven by 1.8bn of investment.
Explore how we support the health of the UK, in more ways than one.
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