Monday 13 December 2010

Institute of Cancer Research - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Institute of Cancer Research
Established 1909[1]
Type Public
Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal (University of London)
Chief Executive Professor Peter Rigby
Admin. staff 1,075 (full-time equivalent)
Students 292 (2009/10)
Location London, United Kingdom
Campus Urban
Affiliations University of London
Website Institute of Cancer Research

The Institute of Cancer Research (the ICR) is a cancer research institute located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London.[2] The Institute was founded in 1909 as a research department of the Royal Marsden Hospital and joined the University of London in 2003.[1] It has been responsible for a number of breakthrough discoveries, including that the basic cause of cancer is damage to DNA.[3]

Together with the Royal Marsden Hospital, the ICR forms the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe[4] and it is ranked first amongst all British higher education institutions in the Times Higher Education 2008 Research Assessment Exercise Table of Excellence.[5] In addition to its research activities the ICR provides both taught degree programmes and postgraduate research degrees and currently has around 290 students.

The ICR occupies two sites, one in Chelsea in Central London and one in Sutton in southwest London. It had a total income of £83.8 million in 2008/09, of which £48.3 million was from research grants and contracts.[6]

The ICR receives its funding from the British government, charities including the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, and public donations. It runs the Everyman Campaign, which raises awareness of male cancers and funds research into testicular and prostate cancer at the Everyman Centre, which is based at the ICR.

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[edit] History

[edit] 20th century

The ICR dates its foundation to 1909, when a new laboratory building adjoining The Cancer Hospital (now named the Royal Marsden Hospital) was established with Dr Alexander Paine as its first Director.[1] In 1910 Dr Robert Knox was appointed to head the Electrical Radio-therapeutic Department at The Cancer Hospital and established the first professionally designed X-ray Department in Britain. The Cancer Hospital Research Institute was officially opened by Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught in 1911. In 1921 Professor Archibald Leitch was appointed Director of The Cancer Hospital Research Institute. The Institute became a post-graduate School of the University of London in 1927.[1] In 1931 Professor Sir Ernest Kennaway FRS became Director of the Institute. In 1932 Professor Kennaway fractionated coal tar and isolated benzo[a]pyrene, which is identified as the chemical constituent which induces cancer in mice. These were the first research findings to show that a pure chemical substance can cause cancer. In 1936 Professor Kennaway proposed the potential of a link between smoking and lung cancer. The Cancer Hospital Research Institute moved to a new site on Fulham Road in Chelsea in 1939 and was renamed the Chester Beatty Research Institute. In 1946 Professor Sir Alexander Haddow FRS became the Director of the Chester Beatty Research Institute. In 1947, whilst conducting research at the Institute, Professor David Galton became the first physician in the world to use aminopterin (the forerunner of the methotrexate drug) in the treatment of adult leukaemia, producing remission in some cancer patients.[1]

During the 1950s the Institute developed three successful chemotherapy drugs: busulphan (Myleran), chlorambucil (Leukeran) and melphalan (Alkeran).[1] In 1952, whilst conducting research at the Institute, Dr Eric Boyland proposed that certain chemicals that cause cancer react with DNA through an alkylation mechanism, damaging the DNA molecule and leading to mutation events. In 1954 The Institute was officially renamed as the Institute of Cancer Research. The Institue established a second campus in Sutton, Surrey in 1956. In 1961, whilst conducting research at the Institute, Professor Jacques Miller discovered the immunological role of the thymus, as the repository of a special class of lymphocytes (T cells) essential for the mounting of an immune response. In 1964, whilst conducting research at the Institute, Professors Peter Brookes and Philip Lawley prove that carcinogens act on DNA in the formation of tumours, proving that cancer is a genetic disease based on mutation events.[1] Between 1970 and 1978 scientists at the Institute evaluate 300 different platinum-containing molecules, leading to the discovery and development of the anticancer drug carboplatin (Paraplatin). During the 1980s, whilst conducting research at the Institute, Professors Ann Jackman and Ken Harrap developed raltitrexed (Tomudex). In 1983 researchers led by Professors Chris Marshall FRS and Alan Hall FRS discovered N-RAS, a human cancer transforming gene (oncogene). In 1991 the Institute, together with The Royal Marsden and Johnson Matthey, received the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement for the development of platinum-based anticancer drugs. In 1992, scientists at the Institute led by Professor Alan Hall discovered that the molecular mechanism for the motility behaviour of animal cells (cell to cell attachment and cell movement) is through control of cytoskeletal assembly by specific GTPase-proteins, known as Rho and Rac. The Breakthrough Tony Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR’s Chester Beatty Laboratory was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1999.[1]

[edit] 21st century

In the five years from 2004/05, the ICR developed an average two drug development candidates per year, an achievement unmatched anywhere in the world. Since 2006, it has licenced three novel series of anti-cancer drugs to major pharmaceutical companies: HSP90 inhibitor to Novartis, PKB inhibitor to AstraZeneca and Pl3Kinase inhibitors to Genentech. The P13Kinase inhibitor GDC-0941, licensed to Genentech by Piramed, is thought to have potential in a range of human cancers. In laboratory test, the ICR scientists found that the drug reduced the growth of glioblastoma - the most common form of brain tumour - by 98 per cent and decreased the growth of ovarian tumours by 80 per cent. In separate investigations, scientists also found the drug worked against a number of cell lines derived from other human cancers [7] .

In June 2009, the ICR announced the results of the Phase I trial of the drug olaparib in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, including patients with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. In more than half of the patients tumours shrank or stabilised [8]. The drug is a PARP inhibitor and the scientists believe it may be useful in other patients whose cancer is linked to an error in their DNA repair pathway[9]. Laboratory tests published in September 2009, conducted at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR, showed it may also be useful against cancer cells with a faulty PTEN gene [10].

ICR scientists discovered the gene BRCA2, which has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. ICR scientists characterised the cancer gene BRAF, which has sped up drug development for the treatment of malignant melanomas and other tumours. In April 2009, the ICR revealed that damage to the BRAF gene could cause up to 70 per cent of melanoma skin cancers.[11][12] Other oncogenes found include those linked to prostate cancer and lung cancer.

[edit] Mission

The ICR's stated mission is to:

  • conduct research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and methods of cancer treatment;
  • provide education and advanced training for medical and scientific staff; and
  • provide treatment and care for cancer patients in partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

[edit] Research

The ICR pursues three main research themes: genetic epidemiology, molecular pathology, and therapeutic development.

In conjunction with the Royal Marsden, the ICR is currently testing a promising new prostate cancer drug called abiraterone, which it developed. [13] Results from a Phase II trial of the drug showed benefit for up to two-thirds of men with advanced and aggressive prostate cancer[14], and a Phase III trial is ongoing.

Recently, the ICR launched the Integrative Network Biology initiative (inbi) which aims to perform quantitative systems and network biology studies of the metastatic process. As part of this initiative ICR have established a proteomics core facility equipped with state-of-the-art mass spectrometers. The facility currently holds several instruments including the TSQ Vantage for scheduled SRM and the LTQ-Orbitrap Velos for IDA. As part of the initiative the ICR is also establishing a supercomputing core which will support the research projects demanding computational systems biology. The ICR is hosting world-leading research groups in network and systems biology, for example the Cellular & Molecular Logic Team[1].

In March 2009, the ICR announced that it had identified a key enzyme responsible for the spread of cancer, which causes 90% of all cancer patient deaths. Research into the lysyl oxidase (LOX) enzyme is ongoing.[15]

The ICR and The Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) are currently developing a strong Molecular Pathology initiative. Detailed information on the genetic make-up of all cancers is becoming increasingly available - with much of this also to the credit of the ICR - and with this comes the exciting potential for them to discover new, even more selective targets for therapy. Furthermore the ICR and RMH will continue to develop robust molecular diagnostic techniques which will accurately predict who will benefit most from a treatment, ensuring a patient receives the optimum drug(s) for the best possible outcome. The research will be carried out in a new $30 million Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP)<http://www.icr.ac.uk/support_us/appeals/mol_pathology/index.shtml> and will build on their existing expertise in breast, prostate and paediatric cancers, while providing opportunities for new developments in other cancers such as gastrointestinal, renal, gynaecological, melanoma, head & neck cancers and sarcomas. In all cases, the teams in the CMP will aim to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets and to develop markers to identify the subgroups of cancer patients that would benefit most from novel and existing treatments.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Annual Review 2009". Institute of Cancer Research. http://www.icr.ac.uk/about_us/annual_review/15136.pdf. Retrieved 21 October 2010. 
  2. ^ "University of London: Colleges/Institutes". Lon.ac.uk. 2010-03-29. http://www.lon.ac.uk/colleges_institutes. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  3. ^ "Long-term Achievements". Institute of Cancer Research. http://www.icr.ac.uk/about_us/achievements/long_term_achievements/index.shtm. Retrieved 21 October 2010. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Britain's best hospitals: A patients' guide". The Independent. 20 March 2008. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/britains-best-hospitals-a-patients-guide-798352.html. Retrieved 20 October 2010. 
  5. ^ "RAE 2008: The results". Times Higher Education. 18 December 2008. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=404786. Retrieved 20 October 2010. 
  6. ^ "Wealth and Health: Financial data for UK higher education institutions, 2008-09". Times Higher Education. 18 March 2010. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Journals/THE/THE/18_March_2010/attachments/THE%20pages.pdf. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 
  7. ^ "New Drug Blocks Common Cancer Pathway". Icr.ac.uk. 2009-07-15. http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/13521.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  8. ^ "NEJM - Inhibition of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase in Tumors from BRCA Mutation Carriers". Content.nejm.org. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0900212. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/361/2/123. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  9. ^ "New Drug Targeting Cancer Weakness Shows Great Promise". Icr.ac.uk. 2009-06-25. http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/13445.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  10. ^ "Scientists Uncover New Potential for Targeted Cancer Treatment". Icr.ac.uk. 2009-09-16. http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/13723.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  11. ^ "Scientists Unravel Crucial Skin Cancer Switch". Icr.ac.uk. http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/12212.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  12. ^ "Cancer Cell - Oncogenic Braf Induces Melanocyte Senescence and Melanoma in Mice". Cell.com. http://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/abstract/S1535-6108(09)00074-9. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  13. ^ http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/13049.shtml
  14. ^ "Selective Inhibition of CYP17 With Abiraterone Acetate Is Highly Active in the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer - Attard et al., 10.1200/JCO.2008.20.0642 - Jo". Jco.ascopubs.org. doi:10.1200/JCO.2008.20.0642. http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/JCO.2008.20.0642v1. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  15. ^ "Key Jigsaw Piece in Cancer Spread". Icr.ac.uk. 2009-01-06. http://www.icr.ac.uk/press/press_archive/press_releases_2009/10425.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 

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Coordinates: 51°20′40″N 0°11′21″W / 51.34435°N 0.18921°W / 51.34435; -0.18921

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