Brain tumour research is about to get a revival with £1.5m from Barts Charity, enabling researchers to extend successful lab-based research into clinical trials.
A £1.5 million grant has been awarded by Barts Charity to brain tumour expert Silvia Marino, Professor of Neuropathology at Queen Mary University of London, UK, and Edward McKintosh, consultant neurosurgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust. Marino has pioneered research in her field and has gained international recognition. She is also the first female President of the British Neuro-Oncology Society, and now has the funding to continue and excel brain tumour research.
Building on brain tumour research
Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer and less than 20% of those diagnosed survive beyond five years, compared to 50% of all other cancers.
The grant from Barts Charity will benefit Marino and her team of researchers to develop upon the success in basic science of the Brain Tumour Research Centre which is funded by the charity Brain Tumour Research and to collaborate with clinicians to build a clinical platform to facilitate taking their discoveries to patients.
Funding by charities play an important role in brain tumour research, as just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours. Previous seed funding from Barts Charity and considerable support by Brain Tumour Research has enabled such research projects to get up and running and attract larger funders.
The help from Barts Charity
Marino says: “I am thrilled to have been awarded this funding from Barts Charity, which complements the support we are receiving from Brain Tumour Research and other sources.
“It will allow us to move faster from the bench to the bedside and offer more experimental treatments to brain tumour patients.”
Fiona Miller Smith, Chief Executive of Barts Charity says: “Professor Marino is a world-leading researcher in this important and underfunded area. By making this significant award, the Charity is supporting the extension of her laboratory work to accelerate the translation of beneficial scientific discoveries into patient care.”
