New University of Calgary research reveals that eliminating a single gene improves immunotherapy for colorectal cancer — a fundamental breakthrough.

Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have discovered a key metabolic pathway that allows colorectal cancer cells to accumulate large quantities of iron. Blocking that pathway reduced iron levels and caused the cancer cells to die.

Lao Saal, a cancer researcher at Lund University who survived leukaemia as a teenager and went on to develop a blood test – Pathlight – that can detect signs of breast cancer relapse a median of 13.7 months earlier than conventional methods, and in some cases up to three to four years earlier. The test works by identifying unique chromosomal rearrangements in tumour DNA circulating in the bloodstream (liquid biopsy). It launched in the US for breast and colon cancer, received Medicaid coverage in May 2025, and is already being used clinically. In 2016, Saal co-founded SAGA Diagnostics with PhD student Anthony George and LU Ventures, growing the company out of Lund Innovation District. The early years were lean, and a commercial path was far from guaranteed – an innovation scout from Lund University's office was the one who first pushed Saal to explore patenting and company formation. In spring 2026, Foundation Medicine (Roche) announced the acquisition of SAGA Diagnostics in a deal valued at up to USD 595 million. For Saal, the significance lies less in the sum than in what it enables: getting the technology to as many patients as possible.