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New research reveals why some oesophageal cancers are so hard to treat
Research published in Science Advances has uncovered new insights into why the most aggressive oesophageal cancers are so difficult to treat and how the body’s own defence systems are helping them to thrive.
The study, led by Professor Eileen Parkes and her team in the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford, analysed patient-donated tumour samples and found that the most dangerous types of oesophageal cancers share a key feature: high chromosomal instability. This means the cancer cells constantly make mistakes as they grow and divide, making them more aggressive, harder to treat, and allowing them to adapt more easily.
However, the research team discovered that this instability doesn’t just make the cancer grow faster: it also changes how the tumour interacts with the body’s own defence systems.
Using newly developed laboratory models of oesophageal cancer, the researchers found that cancers with unstable chromosomes ‘switch on’ certain genes. These genes were shown to send out chemical signals that attracted inflammatory immune cells into the tumour, bolstering its defence.
‘We’ve known for some time that chromosomal instability makes cancer more aggressive, but what we’ve discovered is that it also fuels inflammation in oesophageal cancer in a way that actually helps the tumour,’ said Dr Bruno Beernaert, postdoctoral researcher in the Parkes lab and DPhil in Cancer Science alumnus. ‘Instead of triggering an effective immune attack against itself, the cancer appears to hijack the body’s own defence systems, the immune response, to help it to survive treatment and spread.’
The findings may help to explain why some of the most aggressive types of oesophageal cancers are particularly resistant to existing therapies and point to new potential treatment strategies.
‘By uncovering how chromosomal instability reshapes the tumour’s immune environment, we’ve identified a potential vulnerability,’ added Professor Parkes. “If we can disrupt this inflammation pathway, we may be able to suggest new treatment options which improve outcomes for patients.’
The paper, ‘Chromosomal instability shapes the tumor microenvironment of esophageal adenocarcinoma via a cGAS-chemokine-myeloid axis‘, is published in Science Advances.
We’ve made a gallery of pictures showing all the Oxfordshire spots which have been used for TV and film sets over the years.
Some of the biggest productions filmed here in Oxfordshire include Spectre in the James Bond franchise, which transformed Blenheim Palace in Woodstock into the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome.
READ MORE: Abandoned Oxfordshire home used as drugs den shut down
Many period dramas were also created in the county, like the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was partly filmed at Chastleton House in the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds villages have been repeatedly transformed and used as filming locations for their historical appeal, like the villages of Brill, Broadwell and Castle Combe.
Find all the pictures in this archive gallery of historic Oxfordshire filming locations here.
Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.
Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”
Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.
He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”
He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.
“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”
Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.
The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.
The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.
Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.
“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.
“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”
Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.
The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.
The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.
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