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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world with 150,000 new cases each year. At initial diagnosis, 20% of patients have distant metastasis, thus the cancer has spread to other parts and organs of the body and is not confined to the colon or rectum. 25% to 30% of patients with early stage disease will develop metastasis consequently. The subsequent duration of life for metastatic untreated patients is a heart-aching number accounting for a maximum of 9 months.

Currently, using combination therapy approaches, overall survival lengths has been extended to 20 months. The standard of care for metastatic CRC is surgery followed by chemotherapy. There are several approved chemotherapeutic drugs, one of which is the administration of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) with oxaliplatin given mainly through the course of 12 month,s biweekly. The response rate for this treatment is 29%.

Therapy based upon the biology of an individual’s tumour rather than established histopathologic and anatomic classification is an approach that promises to optimise the use of existing therapies. Gene expression analysis offers the potential to measure genome-wide activity which can be used to predict response to current treatments. My project aims at creating a predictive model that can determine which patients are sensitive or resistant to different chemotherapeutic treatment.

In the future, if we, or any other research group, succeeded in reaching this purpose, we would be able to identify the 71% of patients who may not benefit from chemotherapy. I think modifying the standard of care for CRC will have impactful results on the life of patients and this is our ultimate goal as cancer researchers.

Blog posts

Meet the Researcher: Aihan Zhang

Aihan Zhang, PhD, has recently joined the Department of Oncology as a postdoctoral researcher, studying cancer vaccines as part of the GO-PRECiSE Alliance (Pre-Cancer Intervention, Surveillance, and Exploration).

Why I Chose Oxford’s MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology—and Where It Took Me

Dunja Stojanovic studied the MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology in 2023, having been awarded a scholarship through the prestigious IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme. It helped her to deepen her scientific knowledge, develop advanced research skills, and build confidence in her career path.

Becoming a Medical Physicist: My Route to the NHS Scientist Training Programme

After discovering a passion for applying physics to medicine, Eve Charlesworth chose Oxford’s MSc programme as the next step toward a clinical career. Following the course, Eve successfully secured a place on the highly competitive NHS Scientist Training Programme, beginning her journey to becoming a registered clinical scientist.

Celebrating International Women's Day 2025

This International Women's Day, we're spotlighting some of the brilliant women in STEM at the Department of Oncology. From overcoming challenges to finding support and inspiring the next generation, these women share their journeys, insights, and advice.

Supporting Women in Nuclear Science: Salma Yousuf’s MSc Radiobiology Experience

Salma Yousuf studied the MSc in Radiobiology in 2023-24, wanting to deepen her knowledge in the medical imaging field. Salma was awarded a scholarship from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which aims to encourage young women to pursue a career in the nuclear field.