Cancer Research UK Funds £2.9 Million for Advanced Radiotherapy Research in Leeds

A team of scientists focused on developing “kinder and smarter” radiotherapy treatments has secured £2.9 million in funding from Cancer Research UK. This financial support will enable the Leeds Radiation Research Centre of Excellence (RadNet CoE) to conduct research into radiotherapy techniques tailored to individual patients and their specific tumours. Prof David Sebag-Montefiore, the team’s leader, expressed that the group was “very proud” to obtain these funds, which will facilitate the continuation of their work for an additional five years. This grant represents the second phase of investment within the Cancer Research UK RadNet radiotherapy research programme. Leeds was designated in 2019 as one of seven centres of excellence for this initiative across the UK. The research team comprises multidisciplinary experts from both the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Annually, radiotherapy serves as a treatment for over 130,000 individuals in the UK, ranging from the cure of early-stage cancer to the alleviation of symptoms for those with terminal illnesses. Fundamentally, this treatment operates by directing X-ray radiation at tumours, thereby eliminating cancer cells through irreversible damage to their DNA. Prof Sebag-Montefiore stated: “We are very proud that Leeds has been awarded a further five years of funding, which will allow us to build on the outstanding success of RadNet and accelerate the development of biologically and physically informed personalised radiotherapy for our patients.” He further added: “Our interdisciplinary research teams will develop and translate smarter, kinder radiotherapy treatments across a broad range of cancers to replace the need for major surgery and a colostomy bag, provide shorter courses of treatment with less side effects, and tailor the choice of treatment.” Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, commented: “This funding marks a new phase of our RadNet network, advancing research which will further accelerate improvements in radiotherapy treatment in the clinic.” He continued: “It will work alongside our investments in pioneering radiotherapy clinical trials to ensure more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”