Blood test helps guide immunotherapy for bladder cancer
22nd October 2025
A new clinical trial led by Professor Thomas Powles at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, has shown that a blood test to detect tumour DNA could help doctors decide which patients with bladder cancer are most likely to benefit from further treatment after surgery. The new approach improved survival in those identified as high-risk while safely sparing low-risk patients from unnecessary side effects.
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New AI model sheds light on high-risk skin cancer: Q&A with the authors
30th September 2025
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that could help doctors identify which skin cancers are most likely to spread. We spoke to Professor Jun (Alex) Wang, a group leader at BCI, and Dr Emilia Peleva, a Clinical Research Fellow and dermatologist in his team, about their new study, published in npj Precision Oncology.
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Rogue’ DNA rings reveal earliest clues to deadly brain cancer’s growth
8th September 2025
An international team of scientists has revealed how rogue rings of DNA that float outside of our chromosomes – known as extrachromosomal DNA, or ecDNA – can drive the growth of a large proportion of glioblastomas, the most common and aggressive adult brain cancer. The discovery could open the door to much-needed new approaches to diagnose glioblastoma early, track its progress and treat it more effectively.
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Breakthrough life-extending treatment for advanced bladder cancer available on NHS
21st August 2025
The new combination treatment offers hope to thousands of people living with advanced urothelial cancer. The clinical trials, led by Professor Tom Powles at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, showed that overall survival rates were almost twice as long with this new treatment compared to the current standard treatment.
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Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank achieves landmark international accreditation
19th August 2025
The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank (PCRFTB) has become the first in England to receive ISO 20387:2018 accreditation, an international standard that recognises excellence in biobanking.
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£10m awarded to partnership investigating innovative radiolabelled nanomedicines
11th August 2025
Researchers at Barts Cancer Institute (BCI), Queen Mary University of London, will play a part in a revolutionary new partnership with King’s College London and the University of Leeds, aiming to accelerate and optimise the clinical translation of healthcare nanotechnologies.
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