Manchester Cancer Research Nexus
An interconnected matrix of Centres of Excellence, Research Institutes and Networks
Cancer research in Manchester exists as a nexus. Research is interconnected, collaborative, world-leading, and impactful. Discover more about the various Centres of Excellence, Research Institutes, and Networks all driving excellence in cancer research across Manchester with research strategies aligned to the MCRC.
Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre
Created in 2013, officially recognised as a ‘Major Centre’ in 2015, and renewed for a further five years in 2022, the CRUK Manchester Centre draws together researchers from five distinct research themes – Prevention and Early Detection, Radiotherapy, Biomarkers, Experimental Cancer Medicine, and Molecular Pathology and Tissue Acquisition – with a vision to implement basic and discovery science into an integrated personalised medicine strategy.
Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute
The CRUK Manchester Institute is a leading research institute within The University of Manchester, spanning the whole spectrum of cancer research, from investigating the molecular and cellular basis of cancer, to translational research and the development of therapeutics.
Cancer Research UK RadNet Manchester
Part of Cancer Research UK’s Radiation Research Network (RadNet), Cancer Research UK RadNet Manchester is a Radiation Research Unit in collaboration with The Christie. RadNet Manchester will develop an integrated world-leading radiation oncology programme working towards individualised personalised physical and biological testing based on real-time outcomes and a mechanistic understanding of the tumour microenvironment, immune response, comorbidity and genomics.
Find out more about CRUK RadNet Manchester.
Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence
Launched in 2014, and renewed in 2019, the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence is a partnership between Manchester and University College London (UCL) and unites internationally renowned scientists and clinicians within the field of lung cancer research. Research is focused around eight complementary and interacting themes: Basic Science, Immunology, Drug Discovery, Early Detection and Pre-Invasive Disease, Tumour Evolution and Heterogeneity, Biomarkers, Clinical Trials and Radiation Biology/Radiotherapy Trials.
International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection
Founded in 2019, the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) is a £55 million partnership between Cancer Research UK, the Canary Center at Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU, University College London, and the University of Manchester. Its aim is to develop new collaborative ideas and initiatives in early detection science.
In Manchester, researchers are working to develop new research strategies to reach women at high risk of developing breast cancer, engage with communities at risk of developing lung cancer, and create new ex-vivo models to investigate the origins of cancer.
Find out more about ACED in Manchester.
NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre
The NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has a vision to drive health improvements and lasting change for all through creative, inclusive and proactive research that identifies and bridges gaps between new discoveries and individualised care. It does this across its seven research themes, three of which are cancer specific: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, Cancer Precision Medicine, and Advanced Radiotherapy.
Manchester Breast Centre
Established in 2005, the Manchester Breast Centre is a central point for clinicians and scientists carrying out basic and translational breast cancer research in Manchester. It is one of the largest specialist breast cancer centres in the world and aims to promote collaborative working amongst breast cancer specialists in order to drive progress in the treatment and prevention of all types of breast cancer.
Manchester Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre
The Manchester Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) was established in 2007 and is part of the wider ECMC network consisting of 18 Adult and 11 Paediatric Centres. The Manchester ECMC is part of ‘ECMC North’ a network of six northern ECMCs designed to give patients better access to the broadest range of experimental cancer medicine clinical trials. The Manchester ECMC is both an Adult and Paediatric centre, with paediatric care being based at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
The Manchester ECMC is leading the way in cancer research with an unwavering focus on offering the best treatment options to patients through precision medicine. It aims to provide individualised responses to clinical trials and cancer treatment through molecular profiling, biobanking, imaging, biomarker, radiotherapy and prevention and early detection research.
Digital Experimental Cancer Medicine Team
The digital Experimental Cancer Medicine Team (dECMT) is a clinical digital research group. It brings researchers, clinicians, technology and patients together to innovate in early clinical trials. The dECMT aims for patients, carers and families to work in partnership with researchers on clinical trials and new technologies.
Prostate Cancer UK FASTMAN Movember Centre of Excellence
The FASTMAN Movember Centre of Excellence represents the partnership between two cities – Belfast and Manchester – both of which are united against prostate cancer. The partnership integrates both laboratory and hospital services in both locations, enabling existing expertise in prostate cancer and other cancers to be shared. Researchers are seeking to revolutionise the way that prostate cancer research is carried out in the UK including the development of ctDNA and CTC profiling in localised prostate cancer, novel pre-clinical ex vivo cell and genetically-modified animal models to study cancer development and progression, and the development of biomarker-driven trials that target hypoxia and DNA repair defects.
National Cancer Imaging Translational Accelerator
The National Cancer Imaging Translational Accelerator (NCITA) is a network of medical imaging experts and scientists building a unified infrastructure for discovery, validation and adoption of cancer imaging biomarkers into clinical trials and the NHS.
NCITA aims to develop standardised imaging techniques and harmonised image acquisition, processing and analysis tools for the evaluation and qualification of a pipeline of cancer imaging biomarkers using multi-centre clinical trials.
Innovate Manchester Advanced Therapy Centre Hub
The Innovate Manchester Advanced Therapy Centre Hub (iMATCH) is a Manchester based consortium focused on scale-up of activity in advanced therapies, aiming to improve access while ensuring their efficient and safe delivery. iMATCH is made up of The Christie and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trusts, University of Manchester, and nine commercial partners (AgenTus, Aptus Clinical; AstraZeneca (dECMT), Asymptote, Immetacyte, Chaucer Life Sciences, Datatrial, Formedix and Christie Pathology Partnership (CPP)).
Cancer Research Project Managers Network
The Cancer Research Project Managers Network (CRPMN) aims to use existing experience and influence within the cancer research ecosystem in Manchester to encourage and empower individuals to change perceptions and expectations of the project manager (PM) role to enhance cancer research delivery.
The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation
The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation is home to internationally renowned immunology and inflammation expertise in a vast array of basic and applied disciplines. Its scientists perform fundamental and translational exploratory science, applying the latest technologies to address the key new concepts in health and many areas of clinical unmet need.
Cancer immunology is one of the ten major research activities, led by Professor Robert Bristow, Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite, and Dr Santiago Zelenay
MAHSC Cancer Domain
Manchester has been designated as an Academic Health Science Centre in recognition of the exceptional and world-leading health research partnerships. Research is coordinated through six research domains, with Professor Robert Bristow being the Academic Lead and Professor Dave Shackley being the Clinical Lead for the MAHSC Cancer Research Domain.
European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Centre of Excellence
Awarded to The Christie in 2011, 2014 and renewed for five years in 2019, the ENETS Centre of Excellence recognises Manchester as a specialist centre to treat patients with neuroendocrine tumours recognising how we develop new treatments and share best clinical practice.
Research
