On World Cancer Day 2026, we are celebrating cancer research from across the university. This work is brought together around three central themes, which show the range of our research, highlight where UCL leads the way, and help spark new collaborations across disciplines.
Harnessing our own biology
A key strand of our approach to new cancer treatments, is to explore how we can use our own biology to our advantage - empowering immune cells, proteins and genes to recognise and eliminate cancer. Essentially using living cells, their components or products as the basis of a therapy.
World’s first trial of lung cancer vaccine launched
People at high risk of lung cancer will soon be able to receive the first-ever experimental vaccine designed to prevent the disease, in a world-first clinical trial led by researchers at UCL.
Supercharging immune cells to fight drug resistant bowel cancer
Scientists at UCL have engineered a rare type of immune cell to kill slow-growing bowel cancer cells resistant to current therapies, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments in the future.
New ovarian cancer test offered for women at high risk
Women with an inherited risk of developing ovarian cancer because they have the so-called Angelina Jolie gene alteration, can now be tested on the NHS thanks to UCL research.
Engineering better outcomes
We look beyond the biomedicine field to leverage the strenths of our entire university - embracing a new era of engineering and computation to advance the detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer.
New womb cancer test available to women in the UK
A new test for womb cancer, developed by UCL and the University of Innsbruck, is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), allowing it to be placed on the market.
AI tool helps predict treatment success in rectal cancer patients
AI can predict how well patients with rectal cancer will respond to treatment by analysing standard tissue samples taken during diagnosis, finds a new study from researchers at UCL and UCLH.
Millions of men could benefit from faster scan to diagnose prostate cancer
A faster, cheaper MRI scan is as accurate as standard scans for diagnosing prostate cancer and could improve access for men, according to a major UK clinical trial.
Leaving no one behind
One of UCL’s founding principles is to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Being in the heart of London, serving a diverse population, we are determined to leave no one behind.
First leukaemia patient treated with pioneering therapy
A newlywed has become the first NHS patient in England with an aggressive form of leukaemia to have a pioneering treatment developed by UCL researchers.
UCL research leads to new NHS treatment for high‑risk prostate cancer
Men with high‑risk locally advanced prostate cancer in England will soon be offered the drug abiraterone on the NHS, following landmark findings from the UCL-led STAMPEDE trial.
Difficult to diagnose breast cancer technology enters prototype stage
Researchers from UCL and Newcastle have developed a prototype machine to detect tumours in women with dense breast tissue, in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals and global tech group Kromek.
UCL World Cancer Day Public Lecture
Cancer vs. The Computer: How data science, AI and predictive modelling are reshaping cancer care
To mark World Cancer Day 2026, our UCL panellists discuss some of the latest cancer research in their respective fields. This special event will explore the rapidly evolving field of Computational Cancer.
Find out morePioneering immunotherapy research
UCL researchers are studying new therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Here we meet some of the scientists and clinicians from the lab of Professor Hans Stauss, to find out more about their work on manipulating the body’s immune system to control disease, what drives them and why they are excited about working with patients to find new cures.
Training and supporting the next generation
UCL’s is a global leader in research and education. Our scientific community is dedicated to discovering new techniques in cancer detection and treatment that can make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients.
Patient stories from our Cancer Trials Centre
These patients were offered CAR T-cell therapy as part of a clinical trial at UCLH when their previous treatments for lymphoma or leukaemia had proved unsuccessful.
The therapy involves collecting some of a patient’s immune cells, genetically engineering them in a lab so they are better able to target cancer, and then putting them back into the patient’s body during a process called ‘infusion’.
Sophie's story
Sophie, 26, began CAR T-cell therapy after her leukaemia returned for a third time. Now, things are finally getting back to normal.
Claire's story
Claire was referred to UCLH's CAR T-cell therapy trial after a difficult experience with a bone marrow transplant. She says it saved her life.
Panos's story
After three unsuccessful courses of chemotherapy, Panos underwent CAR T-cell therapy, which proved to be a 'miraculous treatment'.
