Research and Academic Activity 1987-1988
Research
The strength of the Institute is to attack problems deriving not only from the clinic but also from fundamental questions about the causes and nature of cancer that might lead to its prevention or control in years to come. In our clinically associated work, Institute scientists have been collaborating with staff of the Royal Marsden Hospital on a variety of interesting topics. Following our successful development of carboplatin, which has proved useful in the treatment of ovarian and testicular cancers, new drugs are undergoing preliminary trial, including one called pyridoglutethimide, developed by Dr. Michael Jarman and colleagues, that shows promise for the improvement of hormonal control of breast cancer. The development of carboplatin, which is illustrative of our approach to the development of new drugs, is described more fully in a separate article. Another form of cancer, multiple myeloma, has been under test by Professor McElwain.
At the Conference: (l to r)
Dr. S Moorey (RMH), Professor G Westbury, Dr. IESmith (RMH), Dr. G WHanks (RMH), Dr. M Brada, Dr. E Wiltshaw (RMH).
Although short-term relief has been effective with conventional chemotherapy, myeloma cannot be eradicated in this way. Dr. Barbara Millar has recently succeeded in developing a technique that allows human myeloma cells to be grown and cloned in culture for the first time, and this is permitting the screening of new drugs that might be effective against this tumour.
Dr. Bruce Ponder's group has made a noted advance in studying a rare form of thyroid cancer which is inherited in families. They have located the heritable gene to a small piece of a particular human chromosome and this will soon allow the identification of the gene and hence the nature of the cancer. The discovery is already proving helpful in screening family members to distinguish those at risk of the cancer from those who are not carriers. This is useful as the cancer need not be serious if detected early in its
A section of the audience at the May 1988 Conference in the RMH's new Education and Conference Centre
At the informal reception after the Conference: (l to r) Dr. NK Kemp (Director, Scientific Dept. Cancer Research Campaign), Professor S D Lawler, Professor RA Weiss, Professor A Horwich
Discussing the Conference: (l to r)
Miss E Skinner (Education Secretary, Cancer Research Campaign), Mr. ]] Defries, Professor A JS Davies, Professor G Westbury.
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Private notes are available after approval.