Pandemic to delay cancer advances by nearly 18 months

The Institute of Cancer Research has warned that advances for patients could be delayed by almost a year and a half because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

A survey by the organisation suggests that advances would be pushed back by an average of six months by the initial lockdown, subsequent restrictions on laboratory capacity and the closure of national scientific facilities. With broader effects on charity funding, disruption of collaboration and personal interaction between scientists, and diversion of research efforts to coronavirus, the respondents estimated that major advances in cancer research would be delayed by an average of 17 months.

However, researchers said that science had now adapted in many ways to the pandemic and that long-lasting damage to cancer research could be mitigated through extra funding from charitable donations or government support – calling for investment in staffing, new technology such as robotics and computing power.

Paul Workman, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “Our researchers are passionate about making advances to benefit patients, so it has been hugely frustrating that their work has been so disrupted, although also inspiring to see how well they have adapted to the restrictions the pandemic has imposed on our lives.

“It is sobering to see that our researchers are estimating that their own research advances will be delayed by six months – and that the wider impact, because of the interconnectedness of science, is likely to push back major advances for patients by nearly a year and a half.

“Our survey though does provide solutions to mitigate the impact – in the form of investment in staffing, new technologies and computing power. For that, we need more of the generous donations we have been receiving to our emergency appeal, along with a commitment from the government to help fill the funding gap for the life sciences left by the pandemic.”