cruk.org
WHAT WE DO
Our vision is to bring forward the day
when all cancers are cured.
‘Thousands of people
are alive today
thanks to research.
Animal studies have
played an important
part in this progress.’
Nic Jones,
Cancer Research UK Chief Scientist
1
Thanks to our supporters, our scientists
are making cutting-edge discoveries
every day, finding better ways to
prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Our world-class research – which
includes the study of animals – has
helped double survival rates over the
last 40 years.
1in3
But with cancer set to affect more
than one in three of us in the future,
there’s still much more to do if we’re
to beat it sooner.
More than one in three people
will be affected by cancer in the
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millions
of lives.
2
WHY DO WE NEED
ANIMAL RESEARCH?
We understand that not everyone agrees with
animal research. But it is essential for us to
save lives. Most cancer treatments used
today wouldn’t exist without this type of work.
OUR SCIENCE
HOLDS THE
SOLUTION
3
Studying animals helps us to understand
more about cancer so we can find better
ways to detect and treat it. This includes
discovering the faulty genes that cause
cancer, investigating how the disease
grows and spreads, and exploring how
our own body can help fight tumours.
We also need animal research to
improve treatment by developing
and testing new drugs, radiotherapy
and surgical techniques.
Did you know?
Our research helps pets beat
cancer too. Animals benefit
from a wide range of cancer
treatments developed for
people, including drugs
such as carboplatin and
temozolomide.
4
ANIMAL RESEARCH IMPROVES
CANCER TREATMENT
Animal research has made a real
difference for people with cancer.
Science involving animals has been
vital for the discovery of drugs like
tamoxifen for breast cancer, which
has saved thousands of women’s
lives. And scientists first spotted
the potential of Glivec in research
involving mice – a drug that cures
people with chronic myeloid
leukaemia. The development
of antibody therapies has also
relied on animal studies, leading
to important treatments such as
Herceptin and rituximab.
Animal research has been crucial for
improving radiotherapy and surgery.
For example keyhole surgery was first
tested in animals. And developing ways
to prevent cancer, such as the cervical
cancer vaccine, rely on animal research.
‘Thanks to the doctors
giving me tamoxifen,
I’m still alive and
spending time with
my family’.
more tomorrows
Prostate cancer is the most
common cancer in UK men,
claiming thousands of lives each
year. Treatment often involves
a combination of surgery,
radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But, sadly, for some men their
cancer returns.
Thanks to our research there
is hope. In the 1980s scientists
discovered that an anti-fungal
drug could stop cells making
testosterone – the male hormone
that drives prostate cancer
growth. But this drug had to
be taken several times a day
and it had serious side effects.
Men needed a better alternative.
Our researchers stepped in with
the development of a new drug
called abiraterone. Animal research
was needed to find out if it would
be more effective and have
fewer side effects. Our scientists
discovered that mice given
abiraterone just once a day, over a
period of two weeks, had virtually
no testosterone in their blood.
This proved the drug turned off
production of the hormone.
The mice also experienced fewer
side effects.
Thanks to this vital research,
doctors had sound evidence
to take abiraterone into clinical
trials. This drug is now available
to men with advanced prostate
cancer, giving them more time
with their loved ones.
Did you know?
By law all new drugs
have to be tested in
animals before they
can go into clinical
trials for patients.
Sarah from London
5
6
HOW WE CARE FOR
RESEARCH ANIMALS
Animal research is crucial to beating
cancer, so it’s important we take every
step to protect their welfare.
‘My dedicated team
are on hand 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year
to make sure each
animal has the very
best care’.
Gary, Head Animal Technologist
7
Highly trained and qualified staff,
including specialist vets, look after
research animals. The work is
governed by strict laws and must
be carried out at licensed premises.
These are regularly checked without
notice by government inspectors.
And all animal research has to be
approved by an ethics panel that
includes non-scientific members
of the public. They must agree that
the work is necessary, that the animals
are being cared for correctly and that
the potential benefits are worthwhile.
Our researchers
follow the ‘3Rs’:
1
Replacement
Looking for new
approaches that
don’t involve
animals.
3
Refinement
Introducing ways to
reduce any pain or
distress experienced
by the animals.
2
Reduction
Reducing the
number of
animals used.
8
THE FUTURE
Animals are only part of the story. We study
cells grown in the lab, examine samples
of human tumours, and use computers
to model cancer cells virtually.
And while studying animals is still
necessary, our scientists are developing
techniques to replace or reduce the
number of animals needed. Here are
some examples:
• Researchers are reducing the number
of animals needed for each study by
using modern imaging techniques to
track cancer as it develops and spreads.
• Scientists are designing tests that could
predict side effects of new cancer
treatments that boost our immune
system. Using small samples of human
blood might mean fewer animals are
needed to check a drug’s safety.
9
• Researchers are devloping the
first artificial tumour grown in the lab.
This will help them uncover how
tumour cells communicate with the
healthy cells around them – a process
key to the growth and spread of
cancer. Their work could replace the
need to use animals to study these
relationships.
Completely replacing all animals in
research is not yet possible. For now
we will continue funding the highest
quality research – including animal
studies – to help beat cancer sooner.
Cancer patients
and their families
are at the heart of
everything we do.
We believe that all our research
is vital if we are to save the
lives of more people in
the future.
10
RESEARCH
beats
CANCER
cruk.org
For general enquiries: 0300 123 1022 or email supporter.services@cancer.org.uk
Download a copy at cruk.org/leaflets
Photo credits:
Cover image: Esther Arwert at t he CRI
Page 6: Will Howat at the CRI.
Cancer Research UK is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103).
ARL001: October 2013