As the world marks World Cancer Research Day on 24th September, TU Dublin has highlighted its cutting-edge research in the fight against cancer, positioning itself as a centre of excellence in Ireland’s scientific landscape.
Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges of our time, and TU Dublin’s ongoing research projects are making strides towards better treatment outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and, ultimately, increased survival rates.
Cancer is poised to become the leading cause of death globally, with cases expected to rise to 21.6 million in the coming years. As part of Ireland’s response to this growing public health concern, TU Dublin are working on a number of innovative research projects, including projects on radiotherapy, oral cancer and cervical cancer.
Radiotherapy is a critical component of cancer treatment, with about 50% of cancer patients undergoing this therapy at some stage. However, despite technological advances, predicting how an individual patient will respond to radiotherapy remains elusive.
TU Dublin researchers, in collaboration with the University of Leicester and the University of Nantes, are working on identifying biomarkers that can predict a patient’s susceptibility to severe side effects from radiotherapy. Supported by the Health Research Board, this personalised approach could help clinicians tailor treatments, reducing long-term toxicities like bowel and urinary incontinence, which can severely impact patients’ quality of life.
By better understanding how patients respond to radiotherapy, TU Dublin aims to make cancer treatment safer and more effective, particularly as cancer survival rates continue to improve – thanks to earlier detection and more advanced therapies.
Oral cancer, known for its poor five-year survival rate of around 50%, often develops from potentially malignant lesions. Currently, monitoring these lesions requires invasive biopsies, which can be distressing for patients.
TU Dublin researchers, in collaboration with Dublin Dental University Hospital and DY Patil Dental Hospital in Mumbai, are developing non-invasive tests using saliva and brush biopsy samples to help predict how these lesions will progress. Early detection is key to improving patient outcomes, and this project is set to revolutionise how clinicians monitor oral cancer, reducing the need for multiple invasive procedures.
Through this research, TU Dublin is offering hope to oral cancer patients by improving survival rates and enhancing quality of life through less invasive diagnostics.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable through screening, early treatment, and vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, current screening methods, while effective, are not without their limitations.
TU Dublin’s research, in collaboration with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital and the CERVIVA consortium, is focused on developing spectroscopic assays to distinguish between transient HPV infections, which often resolve on their own, and those that are more likely to progress to cervical cancer. This approach could significantly reduce unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments, allowing healthcare resources to be used more efficiently and ensuring that women at higher risk receive timely care.
Ireland is one of the first countries to commit to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, and TU Dublin’s research is playing a pivotal role in making this a reality.
Professor Fiona Lyng, Centre Manager, Radiation and Environmental Science Centre, TU Dublin said “World Cancer Research Day highlights the importance of continued innovation, collaboration, and funding in the fight against cancer. Innovation and dedicated research are the key to improving outcomes for all patients worldwide. By supporting ground-breaking research, we can improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately saving lives improving quality of life in cancer survivors globally.”
TU Dublin’s commitment to cancer research is firmly grounded in its goal to improve the lives of Irish people. By focusing on personalised medicine, early detection, and innovative screening methods, the University is helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer care. As the world continues to confront the increasing burden of cancer, TU Dublin’s work will have a lasting impact on patients and the healthcare system as a whole.