Interesting report from the Crick. Mutations in 'Ras' genes, which drive 25% of human cancers by causing tumour cells to grow, multiply and spread, can also protect cancer cells from the immune system. They show that mutated Ras genes can suppress the immune system around tumours by increasing levels of a protein called Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). It was already known that high expression levels of PD-L1 was associated with increased tumour aggressiveness and an increased risk of death, and the current study provides the mechanism.

Open Access DOI

Several PD-L1 inhibitors are in development, including Atezolizumab.

Cancer Research UK has a series of 7 grand challenges detailed on its website

Challenge 1: Develop vaccines to prevent non-viral cancers

Challenge 2: Eradicate EBV-induced cancers from the world

Challenge 3: Identify new targets for cancer prevention by understanding how unusual patterns of mutation are induced by different cancer-causing events

Challenge 4: Distinguish between lethal cancers that need treating, and non-lethal cancers that don’t

Challenge 5: Map the molecular and cellular tumour microenvironment in order to define new targets for therapy and prognosis

Challenge 7: Deliver biologically active macromolecules to any and all cells in the body to effectively treat cancer

Well worth reading about and there is also the opportunity to suggest your own challenge.

Beating cancer through a space game never seemed possible. Until now….

Every day, scientists across the globe are painstakingly analysing the genetic faults in thousands of cancer samples. They are looking for clues that will help develop new cancer treatments. This game let’s you help.

Play to Cure™: Genes in Space is a pioneering way of helping these scientists in their mission to beat cancer sooner and all via this world first mobile game supported by Cancer Research UK.

A mysterious substance is discovered in the voids of deep space. Dubbed Element Alpha, the substance is refined for use in medicine, engineering and construction and soon the Element Alpha industry explodes galaxy wide…..