Cancer patients in Greater Manchester could benefit from new immunotherapy treatments and cutting-edge AI-powered research after one of the city's leading research hubs received a major funding boost.
Funding Increase
Cancer Research UK is increasing its annual investment in the charity's Manchester Institute by £6m a year, taking total funding from £11m to more than £17m and helping to create up to 100 new jobs.
The investment will allow scientists at the Institute, within the University of Manchester, to expand research into immunology and immunotherapy, which are treatments that help the body's own immune system recognise and attack cancer.
It could also support research into using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data science to better understand how cancers develop, spread and respond to treatment.
Researchers hope the work will ultimately lead to new ways to detect, diagnose and treat the devastating disease, which affects around 45,800 people across the North West every year.
Director's Vision
Recently appointed Director of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Professor Samra Turajlić, said: "Having recently left London to move to Manchester, I am delighted that Cancer Research UK recognises the level of expertise at the Institute and the power of our cancer research partnerships in Manchester. The extra investment will make a huge difference moving forwards and will help us continue to attract the brightest minds to the city."
"While we are living in an exciting time for research, nearly 1 in 2 people are set to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, so there’s still much more to do. Patients will be at the very heart of everything we do and the Institute will be a real engine room for discovery."
Patient Perspective
One person who has already seen the benefits of advances in cancer treatment is Sharon Quennell, from Chadderton. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 at the age of 36 after discovering a lump in her left breast. Sharon underwent surgery followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy - and last year celebrated being cancer-free for 25 years. Now 62, she works at North Manchester General Hospital and is a single mum to her son Ryan, 31, who has autism and learning disabilities.
Sharon said: "The extra investment is amazing news for Manchester. As a former cancer patient, I am always humbled to hear about the exciting research work happening on my doorstep."
Research Focus
Based in the Paterson building in Withington, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute is directly connected to The Christie hospital, allowing patient samples to be transferred from hospital to laboratory within minutes.
According to Cancer Research UK, part of the new funding will be used to recruit up to eight senior researchers, who will establish new labs that will attract around 100 additional researchers and research staff to Manchester.
Among the areas set to benefit is immunology research, which focuses on understanding how the immune system fights cancer and how treatments can strengthen that response. Scientists at the institute are studying how inflammation affects the body's ability to tackle cancer naturally and through immunotherapy treatments. Researchers are also investigating whether the gut microbiome - the billions of microorganisms that live inside the digestive system - could influence how the immune system responds to cancer.
Elsewhere, researchers working on blood cancers are looking at ways to improve treatments for aggressive forms of leukaemia and exploring how specialist white blood cells can be grown in a lab for use in future immunotherapy treatments.
The funding will also strengthen the institute's growing use of AI. Scientists are using the technology to analyse vast amounts of data from tumours, helping them identify cancer cells and understand why cancers behave differently between patients. Researchers believe these approaches could help deliver more personalised treatments in the future.
Collaborative Efforts
Professor Fiona Blackhall, Director of Research and Innovation and Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said: "What makes Manchester such an important hub for cancer research is that our research facilities are located on the site of one of Europe’s leading cancer hospitals, The Christie. This means we can carry out research at every stage – from basic science to trials involving patients – all on one site. This increase in investment reflects the level of expertise we have here in Manchester and the difference that we’re making for our patients."
"Cancer research is a collaborative effort and we at The Christie are proud to work with our partners in the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and The University of Manchester to find new and better ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer."
Professor Ashley Blom, Vice President and Dean of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester said the funding will help scientists "turn bold ideas into breakthroughs that can change what's possible for patients".
Prof Blom said: "The CRUK Manchester Institute sits at the heart of the city's cancer research strength, uniting world-class scientists under one mission. Its teams push the boundaries of discovery, from understanding the biology of cancer to developing treatments that change clinical practice. So this increase in funding is great news for the University and the city, which holds a pre-eminent place in global cancer research, driving discoveries that shape the future of treatment. This welcome news will create more opportunities for scientists to turn bold ideas into breakthroughs that can change what's possible for patients."
