The latest news, stories and exciting findings from across the Oxford cancer research community
Any type of hormonal contraceptive may increase risk of breast cancer
21 March 2023
An analysis of data by researchers at Oxford Population Health’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit has shown that use of progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives is associated with a 20-30% higher risk of breast cancer. The results are published today in PLOS Medicine.
Mark Hill becomes Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
20 March 2023
Dr Mark Hill was awarded the honour of Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (FIPEM) after ‘demonstrating scientific and professional attainment of outstanding merit’. Mark has over 35 years of experience in the field of radiation biology and physics, spanning basic, pre-clinical and clinically related research.
Study shows delaying treatment for localised prostate cancer does not increase mortality risk
13 March 2023
Active monitoring of prostate cancer has the same high survival rates after 15 years as radiotherapy or surgery, reports the largest study of its kind.
Prostate cancer AI diagnosis tool begins evaluation in Oxford
10 March 2023
Researchers and clinicians in Oxford have begun an evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) software that could help pathologists diagnose prostate cancer.
Key exosome subtype in cancer progression identified
8 March 2023
Collaborative work from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and the Department of Oncology has revealed a potential new pathway to block the production of a specific group of exosomes made in the cell’s recycling system that can promote the growth of cancerous tumours.
Inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake remain among people with blood cancers
16 February 2023
People with blood cancers are among the most clinically vulnerable individuals to COVID-19 in the UK. Despite this, vaccine uptake has decreased with each subsequent dose, according to new research from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
New research opens new strategies for cancer therapeutics
15 February 2023
Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Medicine’s Target Discovery Institute and CAMS Oxford Institute, and the Department of Biochemistry uncovered at the molecular level how protein BIRC6 (a giant ubiquitin ligase) keeps cells alive.
NCRI appoints Professor Tim Maughan as new interim CEO
14 February 2023
The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) has announced that Professor Tim Maughan, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Oncology, has been appointed their new Interim CEO.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023
13 February 2023
Members of the Department of Oncology discuss the challenges and successes they have faced in their careers in cancer research, and what society can do to pave the way for parity in STEM roles.
UNIQ+ Research Internships now open for 2023 applications
10 February 2023
Designed for talented individuals from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds at postgraduate level, the University’s UNIQ+ internships offer research experience with Oxford’s world-class academic community through seven-week projects in a wide range of subject areas and departments.
Communication at the crossroads of the immune system
9 February 2023
In his inaugural article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences as an NAS member (elected 2021), Prof Mike Dustin and his research team in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences have explained how messages are passed across the immunological synapse. The research could have implications for future vaccine development and cancer immunotherapy.
Major funding for Oxford will help find new cancer treatments
23 January 2023
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are investing over £3 million across the next five years into The University of Oxford’s Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC). The investment will enable Oxford to expand its portfolio of precision prevention and early detection cancer trials.
Oxford Spinouts annouce merger to tackle treatment of cold tumours
16 January 2023
University of Oxford Spinouts 'Celleron Therapeutics' and 'Argonaut Therapeutics' will merge to form IngenOx Therapeutics. The new company will focus on delivering new precision medicine drugs and vaccines to treat the most difficult cancers, often referred to as cold tumours.
Registration now open for the Cancer Research UK Oxford Annual Symposium
13 January 2023
The CRUK Oxford Centre Annual Symposium is a celebration of the passion and commitment to cancer research that exists across the Oxford Cancer Network.
Improving the sensitivity of therapeutic receptors for cancer therapy
12 January 2023
New research from the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology shows how the effectiveness of therapeutic chimeric antigen receptors might be improved for cancer treatment.
Cancer Science DPhil student named Oxford Sparks Ambassador
9 January 2023
Giampiero Valenzano - who is currently reading for a DPhil in Oncology - has been announced as a 2022/2023 Oxford Sparks Ambassador.
Scientists find genetic ‘marker’ linked to serious side-effects from skin cancer treatment
19 December 2022
New research from the Fairfax Group has identified a genetic marker that could be used to predict a patient’s risk of developing serious side-effects when undergoing immunotherapy treatment for metastatic melanoma.
Research confirms important differences in colorectal cancer patients with a history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
12 December 2022
IBD-associated colorectal cancers were found to occur in younger patients and have worse outcomes. Researchers call for urgent improvement of early detection methods to provide more risk-based and personalised care.
Jan Bornschein receives MRC Clinical Academic Research Partnership (CARP) Award
8 December 2022
Dr Bornschein will join the Simmons Group for a project developing strategies to identify patients at high risk of gastritis/gastric cancer.
Public talk: Using blood tests to detect cancer
7 December 2022
Organised by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Professor Mark Middleton and patient representative Sue Duncombe discuss how cancer blood tests are being assessed and how they may change how cancer is diagnosed in the NHS.