Progress in cancer research

The immune system has evolved to recognise and eliminate infected or abnormal cells such as cancer cells. Accumulating evidence shows that the immune response, in particular killer T cells, are important for killing cancers. However, these responses are not always effective in people, as cancerous cells are able to ‘hide’ from the immune response. Edd will show how cancers ‘hide’ and how recent advances in our understanding has led to the development of new therapies to target and destroy cancer.

Brain tumours are both highly complex in nature and difficult to treat - there are over 120 types. Despite this, we are now in an excellent position to bring renewed hope for patients. This is possible because of our ability to use new types of molecules that can detect specific markers to show up cancer cells. This is helping us find new ways of targeting therapy and offer personalised treatments to patients. We’ll explain more about new cancer drugs, new uses for older cancer drugs and exciting developments in delivering medicines to the brain!