Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre opens
The Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre has been officially opened during a launch event held on the 14th June 2024.
With a mission to discover, develop, validate and qualify biomarkers in clinical studies and trials, the National Biomarker Centre will help to bridge discovery and clinical research. Led by Professor Caroline Dive, the Centre comprises five laboratory based teams supported by an Operations Team, a Bioinformatics and Biostatistics team and Digital Cancer Research team. The five research teams are:
- Preclinical Pharmacology
- Tissue Biomarkers
- Translational Immunology
- Nucleic Acids Biomarker
- Rare Cells
Housed within the newly redeveloped Paterson Building, the National Biomarker Centre has been made possible through fundraising, philanthropic donations, and partnership between Cancer Research UK, the University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust. It’s location in the Paterson Building, puts the National Biomarker Centre in a prime position to make advances from the bench to the bedside benefiting from synergies between the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Division of Cancer Sciences, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The Centre will benefit from a £2.5m investment each year from Cancer Research UK as part of a £26m investment in Manchester – putting the city at the heart of its mission to beat cancer.
This new National Biomarker Centre will help experts detect cancer at an earlier stage – when there are usually more treatment options available. It will also help to provide clues on how aggressive a patient’s tumour is, predict which treatments are likely to work best and monitor responses to personalised treatment.
The Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre is a significant milestone in the mission to develop earlier and highly personalised treatments for cancer. It is fitting that this revolutionary approach will be based in Manchester, one of the world’s leading cities for cancer research.
The impact biomarkers will have on patients’ care can’t be underestimated. Doctors will be able to get more information, faster, to determine the best treatment plan for each individual. And it will stop some patients from undergoing unnecessary interventions or treatments that could cause pain or discomfort without providing benefit.
Professor Caroline Dive
Director of the National Biomarker Centre
Sharon in a laboratory at the Centre. Photo credit: Cancer Research UK
Carolyn at the Centre. Photo credit: Cancer Research UK
Showcasing biomarker research in Manchester
Another person who knows all too well the impact of cancer is Professor Caroline Dive. Her grandfather died from brain cancer before she was born. Her mother has undergone surgery on an endometrial tumour, and her father was treated for colon cancer. He passed away aged 95, following a further diagnosis of cancer.
“The impact biomarkers will have on patients’ care can’t be underestimated,” said Professor Dive.
“Doctors will be able to get more information, faster, to determine the best treatment plan for each individual. And it will stop some patients from undergoing unnecessary interventions or treatments that could cause pain or discomfort without providing benefit.
“We are learning how to manage cancer. And that will mean we can give patients longer with their loved ones and a good quality of life.”
Launching a Biomarker Centre
The Biomarker Centre was launched at a special event on Friday 14th June 2024 which brought together key stakeholders, philanthropists, political leaders, key researchers and Cancer Research UK staff, including Michelle Mitchell, CRUK’s chief executive. The event will showcase the new research facilities and bring attention to growing biomarker research in Manchester and the UK.
“As a former student of The University of Manchester, I’m delighted that such an exciting and revolutionary facility will be housed in the city,” said Michelle Mitchell. “Research at the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre will help to transform cancer treatment in the future.”
Ahead of this event, three individuals from Manchester were invited for a special preview ahead of the official unveiling.
- Asia, who lives in Manchester city centre, has recently been given the all-clear after being diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma last year.
- Carolyn, from Whitefield, had just celebrated her 40th birthday and her youngest child was aged four when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery and also underwent chemotherapy at The Christie.
- Sharon, from Chadderton in Oldham, also welcomed the news. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36 after noticing a lump on her left breast. She underwent surgery followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy treatment. Now 60, she will celebrate a quarter of a century free of cancer next year
As a patient treated at The Christie who has gone on to support Cancer Research UK for many years, I am delighted to have a sneak preview of the work at the National Biomarker Centre and find out what the future of research holds
Carolyn
“I am always humbled to hear about the amazing research work happening in Manchester. Having a look at the National Biomarker Centre before the official opening is so exciting.”
Sharon
Last year was gruelling and I’m now delighted to be recovering and getting my life back on track. Being able to see direct the work which will help future patients is fascinating and inspiring
Asia
Asia at the Centre. Photo credit: Cancer Research UK
Professor Caroline Dive showing visitors around the National Biomarker Laboratories. Photo credit: Cancer Research UK
This news post uses information from the following sources:
- https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/06/14/cancer-research-uk-national-biomarker-centre-opens/
- https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/cancer-research-uk-national-biomarker-centre-opens/
- https://cruknbc.org/about/
