The latest news, stories and exciting findings from across the Oxford cancer research community
Blood test could help doctors diagnose cancers faster, Oxford study suggests
9 July 2026
Analysis of 2-year follow-up data from the NHS SYMPLIFY trial found a multi-cancer blood test could help speed up cancer diagnosis for some patients with symptoms, potentially reducing delays and directing people to the right investigations sooner.
A New Era for Childhood Cancer Research: Professor Isidro Cortés Ciriano Appointed as Oxford's First Little Princess Trust Professor of Paediatric Oncology
1 July 2026
The Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford has appointed Professor Isidro Cortés-Ciriano as its first Little Princess Trust Professor of Paediatric Oncology, marking a major milestone in a partnership dedicated to accelerating the development of new treatments for children with cancer.
Oxford Cancer Immuno-Oncology Network hosts 2026 Annual Symposium
30 June 2026
The Oxford Cancer Immuno-Oncology Network (OCION) hosted its 2026 Annual Symposium on Friday 19 June 2026 at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford.
[Blog] The importance of PPI in basic, preclinical, and laboratory-based research.
26 June 2026
At the recent Oxford Cancer Pancreatic Clinical Academic Networking Day, held on Wednesday 3 June 2026, Julliet Lwiindi, Oxford Cancer’s Public Engagement and Involvement Officer, spoke to delegates about Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and the important role it can play in research.
Professor KJ Patel awarded major European Research Council Advanced Grant
25 June 2026
Professor Patel is one of fourteen researchers at the University of Oxford awarded Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC), each worth up to €2.5 million over a period of five years.
New biomarker brings personalised Polθ inhibitor-radiotherapy treatment closer to the clinic
15 June 2026
A new study led by Professor Geoff Higgins, in collaboration with Artios Pharma, has uncovered a genetic vulnerability that could help identify patients most likely to benefit from a promising radiotherapy combination treatment. Published in Science Advances, the research identifies loss of SHLD2 as a predictive biomarker for treatment with DNA polymerase theta (Polθ) inhibitors, an emerging class of DNA repair-targeted drugs.
Professor Adam Mead appointed as Director of Oxford Cancer
15 June 2026
Oxford Cancer is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Adam Mead as Director, joining Professors Mark Middleton and Tim Elliott in leading Oxford’s interdisciplinary cancer research community.
Oxford researchers hunt for hidden protein clues to prevent prostate cancer
11 June 2026
A major new research programme, led by Professor Ruth Travis and Dr Karl Smith-Byrne and funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to uncover the biological causes of prostate cancer and identify ways to prevent the disease.
First trial of vaccine to prevent Lynch syndrome-associated cancers approved to start in Oxford
9 June 2026
Phase 1 of the INTERCEPT-Lynch trial, which is funded by Moderna, sponsored by the University of Oxford and run by the University's Oncology Clinical Trials Office with support from Oxford Cancer, has received authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and is expected to begin recruiting participants this summer.
Researchers uncover how cancer cells evade PARP inhibitor treatment
3 June 2026
Research led by scientists at the University of Oxford and published today in Nature Cell Biology has uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows cancer cells to resist a widely used class of cancer drugs known as PARP inhibitors.
New personalised therapy targets chronic blood cancer
2 June 2026
A new form of CAR T cell therapy has been designed to find and destroy the cancer-driving cells responsible for a group of blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), while leaving healthy blood cells unharmed, according to a new study led by UCL and University of Oxford researchers.
Researchers gather to showcase advances in liver cancer research at 2nd annual OLivE symposium
1 June 2026
Researchers and clinicians from across Oxford and beyond gathered at the Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, on Thursday 14 May for the Oxford Liver Cancer Centre of Excellence (OLivE) 2026 Symposium.
Dr Ejung Moon awarded MRC funding to target metastatic breast cancer’s “Achilles’ heel”
29 May 2026
Dr Ejung Moon, Group Leader in the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology, has been awarded funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to investigate a promising new strategy for treating metastatic breast cancer.
Neutrophils in Cancer Networking Event Highlights Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities
15 May 2026
Researchers, students, and industry representatives recently came together for 'Neutrophils in Cancer', an event organised by Oxford Cancer exploring the growing potential of neutrophil biology in cancer therapy.
New compound developed to target hypoxia by reducing tumour oxygen consumption
12 May 2026
Researchers in the Departments of Oncology and Chemistry. have developed a promising new compound designed to reduce tumour hypoxia, a major cause of radiotherapy resistance.
Funding for research to investigate how certain cancers turn aggressive
5 May 2026
Dr Srinivasa Rao and Dr Beatriz Gamez Molina receive a Cancer Research UK Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer award to improve early detection and prevention of progression in prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.
World’s largest study of women’s health marks 30 years of pioneering research
4 May 2026
Thirty years after its launch, the Million Women Study continues to shape evidence on HRT, cancer, ageing, and women’s health.
Dr Natalie Jooss named latest winner of CRUK's Research is Beautiful competition
1 May 2026
Cancer Research UK's 'Research is Beautiful' image campaign highlights images that showcase cancer research.
Study reveals lifetime obesity exposure in cancer patients is widely underestimated
30 April 2026
New data published today in ESMO Real World Data and Digital Oncology show that more than half of people receiving systemic anticancer treatment had a history of obesity, compared with only around one in four who were classified as obese at the time their treatment began.
Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust joins €50m European study on heart health in cancer patients
28 April 2026
Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust is one of the project partners and will receive €399,000 in funding. Daniel McGowan, Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, and Head of Education and Research in the Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at OUH, will lead the Oxford team in collaboration with GE HealthCare. Their research is focus on how they can adapt routine PET scans to also assess a patient’s heart health.