Our research into biomarkers

Biomarkers are substances that doctors can measure, for example in samples of blood or urine, which help them monitor how a disease is developing or whether a treatment is working. By testing for certain molecules in the bloodstream, it’s becoming possible to detect some types of cancer at an early stage, when they are more likely to be treated successfully. Biomarkers are also essential for monitoring a patient’s cancer, to see how it responds to treatment.

Cancer Research UK scientists are looking for new biomarkers, and trying to find ways to improve existing ones.

Finding new biomarkers is crucial in the drive to more ‘personalised’ cancer care. Together with our growing understanding of the genetic changes that contribute to cancer, biomarker research will lead to targeted screening programmes and better ways to treat and monitor individual patients.

Below are some of the highlights of our biomarker research portfolio.

No specific cancer type
Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Prof Caroline Dive

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group

Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Manchester

Developing new cancer treatments

Professor Caroline Dive leads the Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group at the Cancer Research UK Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester. Her team carry out lab studies and early clinical research into new cancer drugs. Professor Dive also carries out important research into drug resistance in bowel cancer.

Dr James Brenton

Functional Genomics of Ovarian Cancer

Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge

Finding new ways to overcome drug resistance in ovarian cancer

Dr James Brenton is based at our Cambridge Research Institute. He is studying why cancer treatments work for some people and not others even though they have the same disease. His research particularly focuses on ovarian cancer and understanding why some women respond well to existing chemotherapy drugs while others have tumours that are 'resistant' to treatment.

Prof Ian Jacobs

Department of Gynaecological Oncology

University College London, London

Screening for ovarian cancer

Professor Ian Jacobs and his team are testing ovarian cancer screening techniques to see which are most effective.

Dr John Timms

Department of Gynaecological Oncology

University College London, London

Searching for better tests for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it very difficult to treat. Dr John Timms heads the Cancer Proteomics group at University College London. His team is looking for biomarkers that could lead to better tests for the disease, and help doctors to detect it earlier.

Dr David Tuveson

Tumour Modelling & Experimental Medicine

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge

New ways to treat pancreatic cancer

Dr David Tuveson is a leading expert investigating the biology and treatment of pancreatic cancer. He is and his team at Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute are using the latest genetic techniques to find new ways to treat the disease. Pancreatic cancer has been recognised by Cancer Research UK as an area that urgently needs more research, and Dr Tuveson’s work will help to meet our goal of improving survival.