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Early Cancer Institute

 
Read more at: UK government announces National Cancer Plan for England

UK government announces National Cancer Plan for England

4 February 2026

Today, 4th February, is World Cancer Day and sees the announcement of the UK government's National Cancer Plan for England. The plan, shaped by an extensive call for evidence exercise, held from 4 February to 29 April 2025 with more than 11,000 responses from patients, policy makers, clinicians, researchers, health groups...


Read more at: Targeting damaged cells could improve chemotherapy for lung and ovarian cancers

Targeting damaged cells could improve chemotherapy for lung and ovarian cancers

3 February 2026

New research published today in Nature Aging by scientists at the University of Cambridge sheds light on why some lung and ovarian cancers stop responding to chemotherapy, and how this resistance might one day be prevented. Platinum-based chemotherapy is commonly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and high-...


Read more at: Rebecca Fitzgerald announced as Fellow of the AACR Academy Class of 2026

Rebecca Fitzgerald announced as Fellow of the AACR Academy Class of 2026

27 January 2026

Congratulations to ECI Director Rebecca Fitzgerald who has been elected as Fellow of the AACR Academy, Class of 2026. The Fellows of the AACR Academy was established to honour scientists, clinicians, and physician-scientists whose visionary work has reshaped the landscape of cancer research. These individuals have...


Read more at: Successful MRC Programme Award to deepen understanding of kidney cancer and identify new treatment targets
Dr Tom Mitchell

Successful MRC Programme Award to deepen understanding of kidney cancer and identify new treatment targets

18 December 2025

Congratulations to a collaborative team of researchers representing the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge, the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University College London who have been successful in applying for a highly competitive Programme Award from the Medical Research Council (MRC). The award...


Read more at: Landmark study identifies key genetic risk factors contributing to oral cancer development among tobacco chewers in India
Image of chewing tobacco in a hand

Landmark study identifies key genetic risk factors contributing to oral cancer development among tobacco chewers in India

9 December 2025

Early Cancer Institute Group Leader Dr Siddhartha Kar has contributed to a landmark Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) led by the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, comprising the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC). TMH, founded in 1941, is India’s...


Read more at: Inaugural Summer Programme to launch in 2026
ECI Summer Programme 2026

Inaugural Summer Programme to launch in 2026

25 November 2025

The Early Cancer Institute is delighted to announce that it will be running a 2026 summer programme for Master's degree students, sponsored by Moderna. The programme will provide an immersive research experience and inspire students to pursue further study, innovation and careers in cancer detection, prevention and...


Read more at: Rebecca Fitzgerald gives the Betty Macgregor Memorial Lecture
Rebecca Fitzgerald receives the Betty MacGregor Memorial Award

Rebecca Fitzgerald gives the Betty Macgregor Memorial Lecture

7 November 2025

Congratulations to Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald who received the Betty Macgregor Memorial Award at a showcase event on Thursday 6th November held at CRUK's Scotland Institute.


Read more at: Early Cancer Institute welcomes new Scientific Advisory Board
ECI Scientific Advisory Board members

Early Cancer Institute welcomes new Scientific Advisory Board

13 October 2025

Last week the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge welcomed its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members for the first meeting of the new committee.


Read more at: Early Cancer Institute Symposium 2025
Speakers from the Early Cancer Institute Symposium 2025

Early Cancer Institute Symposium 2025

10 October 2025

On Thursday 9 th October the Early Cancer Institute hosted its annual symposium, our largest event of the year and the third since our launch as an Institute. This year was certainly the best attended event, with a packed auditorium of just under 200 people! They had gathered to hear from our excellent speakers ranging...


Read more at: ECI researchers show benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing for breast cancer patients
Prof Serena Nik Zainal at the University of Cambridge

ECI researchers show benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing for breast cancer patients

8 October 2025

In a paper published today in Lancet Oncology , a team of researchers led by Prof Serena Nik Zainal outline how w hole genome sequencing (WGS) offered to breast cancer patients is likely to identify unique genetic features that could either guide immediate treatment or help match patients to clinical trials for over 15,000 women a year.