£173m investment into Cambridge Cancer facility brings cure one step closer

A £173 million investment has been announced to support the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute over the next seven years. This funding represents the largest single grant ever awarded by Cancer Research UK outside of London, and will enable cutting-edge research into how cancers develop, spread, and how the immune system can be harnessed to fight the disease.

Professor Greg Hannon, Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, expressed the importance of this grant in bolstering Cambridge’s role as a global hub for cancer research. “In a golden era for life sciences, this funding bolsters Cambridge as a major global hub for cancer research on an increasingly competitive worldwide stage and will greatly aid the recruitment of top-tier international talent,” Hannon said.

Established in 2007, the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute became a department of the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine in 2013, enhancing collaboration between researchers and strengthening its position as a world leader in transitioning research into clinical trials. With over 300 scientists working at the Institute, the research focuses on translating groundbreaking discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice.

“The Institute serves as a foundation for the entire Cambridge cancer research community through access to cutting-edge equipment and technical expertise,” Hannon added. The aim is to accelerate the impact of research on patients by integrating clinicians into all aspects of research, as well as embracing new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Hannon highlighted the Institute’s focus on understanding the genomes of cancer patients to guide treatment and explore non-invasive methods, such as blood sampling, to track cancer development and response to therapy. "We sit on the largest biomedical campus in Europe with strong links to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The funding will help us create an integrated system where basic cancer research is closely linked with clinical practice."

As AI and machine learning become more prominent in cancer research, the Institute plans to utilise these technologies to process vast amounts of data that are otherwise difficult to interpret manually. Hannon explained that AI can help make predictions about treatment outcomes, guiding future cancer therapies in new directions. "AI doesn't care what I know or don't know. It’ll highlight important biological pathways, helping us find new avenues for therapy," he said.

While the immediate impact of this funding may take time to materialise, Hannon is optimistic about the long-term benefits for cancer patients.

"Now it's not taboo to use the word 'cure,' and that's an amazing thing to look forward to."

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