Trial drug could reduce side-effects of blood cancer treatments

A UK-led clinical trial is set to test a new drug that could make cutting-edge cancer treatments safer and more accessible for thousands of patients with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Read More

Scientists uncover ‘window of opportunity’ after brain tumour surgery

Scientists from The University of Manchester have identified a brief window after brain tumour surgery during which a treatment for glioblastoma, an incurable brain cancer, can cross the brain's protective barrier and reach the cancer cells most likely to trigger tumour regrowth. Read More

Manchester researchers develop new blood test to monitor response to melanoma treatment

Researchers in Manchester have, for the first time, created a blood test to help doctors decide when to change treatments to get the best outcome for patients with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Read More

A conversation with a Named Veterinary Surgeon

Greg is a Named Veterinary Surgeon at The University of Manchester animal facility. Every licensed animal research establishment in the UK has a Named Veterinary Surgeon: an independent veterinarian responsible for overseeing the health and welfare of the animals. Read More

UK scientists make major leap towards cracking one of cancer’s biggest targets

Manchester scientists have identified a new way to target lung cancer caused by the notorious KRAS mutation, expanding the shortlist of lung cancers treatable with targeted therapies. Read More

Inside EACR 2026: A PhD Student’s View from Europe’s Leading Cancer Research Congress

In June 2026, I travelled to Budapest, Hungary, to attend the 2026 European Association for Cancer Research Congress. Read More

From delegate to speaker: reflecting on IPSCC 2026 in Amsterdam

From 3-5 June 2026, PhD students from leading institutes across Europe shared research, learned from experts and built connections across the cancer research community. Organised by PhD students, for PhD students,International PhD Student Cancer Conference (IPSCC) offers a valuable space for scientific exchange, collaboration and professional development. Read More

Jo Roberts

Jo Roberts is the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, which houses mice. Jo is a senior animal technician with many years of experience and works at the heart of day-to-day animal care at the Institute. Read More

MCRC Director’s Update – April–June 2026

In this issue of the Director's Updates, I share highlights from key events and conferences I’ve attended between April to June 2026 and reflect on how these engagements are helping to advance the MCRC’s mission. Read More

The MCRC Biobank: Turning Tissue Donations into Tomorrow’s Treatments

Every year, thousands of cancer patients treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust choose to donate tissue samples to the Manchester Cancer Research Centre Biobank. Read More

MB-PhD Summer Placement Opportunities 2026

We are thrilled to announce that we are hosting our annual MB-PhD Summer Placement Opportunities in July and August 2026. Read More

Lab to Life: Innovations in Melanoma Conference

In March 2026, researchers, clinicians, patient advocates and industry partners met at The Midland Hotel in Manchester for the inaugural Lab to Life: Innovations in Melanoma conference. Read More

UK cancer scientists uncover clues to what drives genetic tumour growth

Researchers in Manchester have developed an experimental method that shows potential for accurately detecting the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer in adults, known as glioblastoma, from the blood. Read More

MCRC Director’s Update – January–March 2026

In this issue of the Director's Updates, I share highlights from key events and conferences I’ve attended between January to March 2026 and reflect on how these engagements are helping to advance the MCRC’s mission. Read More