Celebrating the BCI’s highlights of 2024
As we approach the end of 2024, join us as we look back at some highlights of Barts Cancer Institute’s news stories this year. Thank you to our amazing staff, students and partners for making this progress possible.
January
Our researchers co-lead a new Centre for Epigenetics
In January, the Centre for Epigenetics launched, a £3m collaboration between researchers at Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust, funded by Barts Charity. The team, co-led by BCI’s Dr Gabriella Ficz will investigate how the marks on DNA in blood can be used to detect disease at an early stage.Read more >>
January
February
New treatment for mesothelioma improves survival in breakthrough clinical trial
Professor Peter Szlosarek and team published groundbreaking results of the ATOMIC-meso clinical trial in February, which showed that an innovative treatment significantly increases the survival of people with malignant mesothelioma, a rare but rapidly fatal type of cancer with few effective treatment options.Read more >>
February
March / April
Professor Nick Lemoine passes BCI Directorship to Professor Nitzan Rosenfeld
The BCI’s inaugural Director Professor Nick Lemoine steps down after leading the institute for 20 years. We celebrated Professor Lemoine’s role in shaping the institute and welcomed the BCI’s new Director, Professor Nitzan Rosenfeld.Read our welcome interview with Professor Rosenfeld
March / April
April
Scientists uncover protein with the power to help or hinder breast cancer progression
Dr Oliver Pearce, Dr Priyanka Hirani and their team revealed how a protein affects immune cells’ ability to fight triple-negative breast cancer. The findings could help more patients benefit from immunotherapies.Read more >>
April
May
Professor Fran Balkwill elected as Fellow of the Royal Society
Professor Fran Balkwill was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society for her invaluable contributions to cancer research and public engagement.Read more >>
May
May
Professor Thomas Powles recognised in TIME magazine
Professor Tom Powles is recognised by TIME Magazine in their inaugural TIME100 Health, a new annual list of 100 individuals who most influenced global health this year.Read more >>
May
July
Professor John Gribben receives prestigious José Carreras award
Professor John Gribben won the European Hematology Association’s prestigious José Carreras Award in recognition of his exceptional achievements in shaping the landscape of haematological research.Read more >>
July
July
Aspiring young scientists explore cancer research at the BCI and beyond
The BCI’s STARS work experience programme was expanded to other sites within the CRUK City of London Centre. STARS aims to engage and inspire young people from schools with historically low university attendance by giving them the opportunity to try out their lab skills side-by-side with our researchers.Read more >>
July
September
Groundbreaking trials reveal improved survival for two hard-to-treat cancers
Professor Tom Powles and Professor Peter Schmid announced practice-changing results of two phase III clinical trials, showing that innovative chemotherapy-immunotherapy drug combinations improve survival for bladder cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, two hard-to-treat cancers.Read more >>
September
October
Scientists uncover promising leukaemia treatment targeting fat metabolism
Dr Paolo Gallipoli, Dr Vilma Dembitz and team uncover a potential new approach to treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) by targeting the way cancer cells metabolise fat.Read more >>
October
October
International study reveals four distinct types of oesophageal cancer
Professor Yaohe Wang, Dr Jun (Alex) Wang and team published new results revealing that oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), is composed of four distinct subtypes, paving the way to more personalised treatments.Read more >>
October
November
Cancer-killing virus treatment shows promise in brain tumour trial
Professor Yaohe Wang and his team published results from a phase I clinical trial, showing that their oncolytic virus treatment was safe and effective in people with glioblastoma, supporting progression to phase II clinical trials.Read more >>
November