Paul Workman’s Journey as a Scientist and Patient: 50 years in Cancer Research

Paul Workman is a prominent figure in cancer research, serving as the Harrap Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research in the UK. With over 50 years of experience, he previously held the positions of Chief Executive and President at the ICR from 2014 to 2021.

His personal journey took a turn in 2022 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, providing him with a unique perspective as both a leading scientist and a patient.

Paul Workman and his Journey with Cancer

Paul Workman was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a routine blood test for prostate-specific antigen (known as PSA) in October 2022.

“When my urology consultant confirmed that I had cancer, I found that my reaction was certainly, of course, to feel concerned, but also to be quite calm and pragmatic..”

In January, 2024, Paul underwent a surgical procedure for his prostate in preparation for radiotherapy. While the surgery was technically successful, he faced complications from an infection and side effects from antibiotics, which delayed his recovery. However, he fully recovered in time to give three invited talks at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in San Diego in early April. In June, he received five targeted external beam radiotherapy treatments using the advanced MR Linac machine at The Royal Marsden in Sutton.

“The irony is that I am someone who has spent their whole career discovering new cancer drugs, yet my treatment was not drug-based at all: it was radiotherapy for my localised cancer. I did a year of active surveillance before deciding, with great support from my medical team and family, that for me it was better to go for curative treatment rather than continue with the more passive observational approach. With the medical team we discussed the options of surgery versus various types of radiotherapy, and for me the benefit versus possible adverse effects calculation clearly favoured radiotherapy.”

Paul acknowledges that while every patient handles their diagnosis and treatment differently, in his case his experience as a cancer patient has given him a new-found perspective:

“Becoming a patient has definitely affected me, but the difference is subtle. It has not made me a different person, but it has caused a significant shift in my outlook. I have more insight and additional empathy for patients and their families and friends. My relationship with cancer is more personal now. I can understand for example the feeling of vulnerability and the worry that patients and loved ones can have.”

Who is Paul Workman?

Professor Paul Workman served as Chief Executive and President of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) from 2014 to 2021. He is a passionate advocate for personalized molecular medicine and has pioneered multidisciplinary approaches to cancer drug discovery, including the innovative “Pharmacological Audit Trail.”

Professor Workman completed his BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Leicester UK (1973) and his PhD in Cancer Pharmacology at the University of Leeds UK (1977).

In 1997, Professor Workman joined the ICR to establish and develop what is now the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. Under his leadership, the center identified 20 clinical drug candidates since 2005, including a prostate cancer treatment that gained approval from the FDA and EMA. He served as the unit Director until January 2016.

“I can speak from a personal perspective about how research is transforming the treatment of cancer and how it’s only through research that we can continue to make further inroads into outcomes.”

Workman’s research utilizes molecular pharmacology and chemical biology to interrogate cancer biology, develop new drug targets, and identify biomarkers. He has successfully built and led drug discovery teams in various sectors, including academia and pharmaceuticals, and has been a scientific founder of two biotech companies: Chroma Therapeutics and Piramed Pharma.

His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including election to the Royal Society in 2016, fellowships from the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has received prestigious awards such as the AACR Team Science Award in 2012 and the British Pharmacological Society’s UK Pharmacology on the Map award in 2015. He has received the 2024 International Chemical Biology Society Global Lectureship Award.

With over 470 published research articles and several edited books, Professor Workman continues to impact cancer drug development and collaborates extensively with industry to translate research into clinical applications, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.

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