We are proud to announce funding for six new grants for top-quality brain tumour research totalling £590,000 over 3 years.
The new grants include three laboratory-based research projects at the Universities of Newcastle and Cambridge and the Institute of Cancer Research at Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. In addition we have launched a joint clinical trials initiative with Cancer Research UK in which we are co-funding two clinical trials for brain tumour patients, as well as providing a project officer and biomedical scientist to promote and support further UK-based trials.
This research has been made possible by the inspirational efforts of all our supporters in raising funds for brain tumour research. Please continue to support us so that we can continue to fund even more research – we have a shortlist of further excellent projects that we can only support if additional funds are raised.
About the new grants
Here is a taster of each of the new grants – see the individual grant summaries in ‘Find out more…’ for further information.
SDBTT-funded grants
- Professor Steven Clifford in his laboratory in Newcastle
Biomarker discovery for childhood medulloblastoma –
Professor Steven Clifford, University of Newcastle
Medulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumour in children. This study will further investigate its biological features and how these relate to disease progression, which could lead to better and safer treatments for individual children.
Find out more…
Investigating the genetics of pilocytic astrocytoma, pilomyxoid astrocytoma and ependymoma –
Professor Peter Collins, University of Cambridge
The genetics of three brain tumour types will be analysed in this research, which aims to find targets for new treatments and identify tests to confidently diagnose tumour type at an early stage.
Find out more…
- Dr Louis Chesler (left) with his research group at ICR
Analysing the role of ‘MYCN’ in medulloblastoma –
Dr Louis Chesler, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
This project will examine the role of cancer-causing genes such as MYCN in the growth of medulloblastoma. It looks to identify targets for more effective, focused treatments which are much needed.
Find out more…
SDBTT-Cancer Research UK jointly funded grants
A Phase I trial of 5-ALA with Gliadel® for glioblastoma in adults –
Dr Colin Watts, University of Cambridge
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumour in adults. It is hoped that patient outcomes will be improved in this investigation, which will assess the safety of using the drugs 5-ALA and Gliadel® together in the treatment of adult GBM.
Find out more…
A phase II study of temozolomide with radiotherapy for diffuse pontine gliomas in children –
Dr Simon Bailey, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
This clinical trial follows a strategy that has proved successful in adults by testing prolonged temozolomide use in conjunction with radiotherapy in children with diffuse pontine gliomas.
Find out more…
Biomedical scientist support for children’s brain tumour trials –
Professor Steven Clifford, University of Newcastle
Clinical trials for children with brain tumours will continue to receive the crucial support of a biomedical scientist needed for vital sample collection and processing as part of a network of European trials.
Find out more…
These new projects are in addition to the broad research portfolio we are currently funding thanks to all the hard work and generosity of our supporters.
Choosing the best
All our grants have gone through a process of peer review by brain tumour experts in determining which to fund.
Our grant selection process was recently redeveloped and has been recognised by the Association of Medical Research Charities with the award of a Certificate of Best Practice in Medical and Healthcare Research Peer Review.
Find out more about how we select which grants to fund.
We are the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research in the UK – please donate to support our vital work – or even consider fundraising for us.