Research themes
Metabolic health
Using the genetic variants associated with obesity-related metabolic complications to better understand cancer risk and progression. We have identified targets for breast cancer prevention; improved understanding of colon cancer survival; and supported Cancer Research UK in engaging with the public about cancer research. Read more |
Physical activity and sleep
How hormonal and molecular factors explain the ways physical activity and sleep influence cancer risk and how understanding these risk factors can help prevent cancer and its progression. We have explored links between weight patterns and sleep; improved understanding of the role of sleep in breast cancer; and identified the role of good sleep in quitting smoking. Read more |
Smoking cessation
How nicotine (including in e-cigarettes) affects cancer risk and outcomes. We have investigated links between smoking and DNA; explored the health effects of nicotine on lung and heart health; and developed a smartwatch-based approach to help people quit smoking. We have also increased understanding around smoking and cancer and contributed to national vaping policy. Read more |
Systemic responses
Distinguishing between factors that are causal in cancer and those that are non-causal but potentially useful in cancer early detection or prediction of outcomes. We have identified biomarkers that could diagnose lung cancer two years earlier; uncovered how higher BMI increases colorectal cancer risk; and explored the impact of biological ageing on cancer risk. Read more |
Progression and treatment
Investigating the most promising molecular targets for new and repurposed chemoprevention and therapeutic drugs. We have evaluated the effects of statins on ovarian cancer risk; identified proteins associated with reduced lung and ovarian cancer death; found that some breast cancer treatments also show potential in treating endometrial cancers; and explored survival after a lung cancer diagnosis. Read more |
Somatic genomics
How exogeneous and endogenous factors influence the cancer-causing molecular aberrations that occur in body cells. We have identified links between BMI and endometrial cancers; and developed a tool that extracts and integrates molecular features related to single nucleotide variants from multiple databases to help predict variant pathogenicity. Read more |
The programme’s work fall into six research themes. Across these themes, our work has contributed to understanding of how cancers develop and progress, what are the main risk factors and how they can be mitigated, and how cancers can be diagnosed sooner and treated more effectively.