Introduction

The Cancer Research Theme is one of nine research themes within the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology.  There are 52 members of academic staff within the Cancer Theme (43 non-clinical; 9 clinical) including staff from the Departments of Biochemistry, Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, Chemistry and Genetics.  There are also close ties with the MRC Toxicology Unit, which has a growing interest in cancer research under its director, Professor Anne Willis.

Strategic Intent

Cancer Research within the university is underpinned by strong basic science, and our strategic intent is to build on this strength by expanding our translational and clinical research programmes with the goal of developing new and improved treatments for cancer patients.  With this in mind, the College has established a Centre for Translational Therapeutics (joint with the MRC) under the direction of Professor Andrew Tobin, which will provide enabling platform technologies, and capabilities in clinical pharmacology and molecular pathology including a tissue banking facility.

Research Overview

Those areas where we have critical mass and an international reputation include (i) genome variation, dynamics and radiobiology, (ii) cell proliferation and death, and (iii) biomarkers and cancer prevention.  Research on human malignancies is largely focussed on haematological cancers and is based on close collaborations between Professor Gerry M Cohen and Professor Martin J S Dyer and their colleagues.  Here, a detailed understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that regulate cell death by apoptosis is linked to clinical trials with drugs that promote apoptosis of B-cell tumours in the expectation that this will improve patient survival.  There are also extensive ongoing research projects, focusing largely on experimental therapeutics and prevention, in bladder, breast, colon, melanoma and prostate cancer.  There is also extensive clinical expertise in the detection and treatment of lung cancer, and Dr Mick Peake (Glenfield Hospital) is the National Lead Clinician for Lung Cancer at the Department of Health.  Therefore, we are currently exploring the possibility of linking the strong clinical activities in lung cancer to basic and translation research programmes.

Total grant income within the Cancer Theme is >£30 million.

Cancer Theme Steering Group

The Cancer Theme is currently led by Professor Catrin Pritchard, and she is advised by a steering group that contains the scientific leads from each of the sub themes and tumour specialisation groups. 

The steering group membership is as follows:

Science Director and Theme Lead: Professor Catrin Pritchard
Clinical Director: Professor Will Steward
Deputy Theme Lead: Dr G Don Jones

Research Sub Themes:

Proliferation and Death: Professors Andrew Fry and Marion MacFarlane
Chemoprevention: Professors Karen Brown and Andy Gescher
Genome Variation and Dynamics: Professor Mark Jobling and Dr Nicola Royle
Biomarkers: Dr Jacqui Shaw
Radiobiology: Dr G Don Jones

Tumour Specialisations:

Thoracic Cancers: Professors Dean Fennell and Marion MacFarlane
B-Cell Malignancies: Professor Martin Dyer
Gastro-intestinal tract Cancers: Professors Will Steward and Karen Brown
Breast Cancer: Dr Jacqui Shaw

• Ex-officio members - Professors Andrew Tobin, Anne Willis and David Wynford-Thomas.

The scientific leads for each of the sub-themes are charged with (i) identifying two or three major questions in the field, (ii) developing a coherent multi-disciplinary approach to address these questions and (iii) identifying and prioritising the investment in new posts and infrastructure required to realise the strategy. The College has a Joint Research and Development Committee to ensure alignment of the research strategies of the University and UHL NHS Trust.  A joint Research and Development Office has been established to create a one-stop shop for those wishing to engage in clinical research.

For further information please contact: Professor Catrin Pritchard, Theme Lead, Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, Tel: 0116 229 7061, Email: CAP8@le.ac.uk or Mrs Steph Moutrey, Cancer Theme Administrator, Tel: 0116 223 1524, Email: sal8@le.ac.uk.