A ground breaking new research centre dedicated to developing new treatments for brain tumours has been unveiled. Image Credit: Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence The Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence brought patients, families and researchers from across Scotland at its official launch at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and RepairBrain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people under 40, affecting thousands in Scotland and across the UK each year. Led by Professor Steven Pollard from the University of Edinburgh and Professor Anthony Chalmers, from the University of Glasgow, the collaborative initiative is funded in partnership by two leading charities - Brain Tumour Research and Glasgow-based Beatson Cancer Charity. Scientists from the two universities will be focusing on developing treatments for glioblastoma - which is an aggressive brain cancer that originates in the brain’s glial cells. It is the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer in adults. Patients and their families, and supporters had the opportunity to tour the labs during the launch, gaining a first-hand look at ongoing research efforts. They observed live cells, learned about tissue culture, and saw high-throughput imaging technology in action, all while hearing about advances in drug discovery aimed at fighting brain tumours. Image Credit: Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence The event also featured talks by two patients: journalist Glenn Campbell and Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell. Speeches were delivered by the chief executives of the two cancer charities, as well as by Centre Co-Directors Professors Steven Pollard, Anthony Chalmers, and David Argyll, Vice Principal and Head of College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh to celebrate the launch of the new centre.Each university brings unique strengths to the fight against brain tumours. In Edinburgh, Professor Steven Pollard’s team focuses on discovery science, identifying new treatments, while in Glasgow Professor Anthony Chalmers’ team conducts clinical trials to test these therapies. Together, they are working to accelerate the development of effective treatments for patients with brain tumours. One of the reasons we wanted to develop a new Centre was the realisation that by working together we had incredible complementary strengths that could really make a difference. Brain tumours are very challenging to treat, they’re often detected quite late, and they lie deep in the brain so we can’t monitor them or cut them out.This means that we need bespoke therapies that will tackle these tumours. We need to come up with new approaches and find targets and new advanced therapies to try and eradicate these tumours. Although scientists in Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities already work together, this new centre will stimulate more of this and by working together our goal is to find urgent new treatments for patients who have brain tumours. Steven Pollard Centre Co-Director, Professor, Personal Chair of Stem Cell and Cancer Biology, IRR, University of Edinburgh This new Centre is all about tying together the discovery science with the clinical research. What we have been missing is the space in the middle where we rigorously test these new therapies. Whilst progress has been made in treating other types of cancers, treating brain cancers has been more challenging. No-one wants to fund it and it is seen as routine and lacking in innovation. A major part for this new Centre is to fill that gap so that we can do that important work and find treatments that are exciting and risk free enough free enough that private companies will take them on. I am delighted to be working with both charities and both universities to find treatments for brain tumours. Anthony Chalmers Centre Co-Director, Professor, Chair of Clinical Oncology, University of Glasgow, Image credit: Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence Theo Burrell, 38, who is a Patron of Brain Tumour Research, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in June 2022. She has just started the second round of a 12-month temozolomide chemotherapy programme following a re-growth of her tumour. My current situation is scary and I’m daunted by what lies ahead, but this new Centre is giving myself and other people affected by brain tumours some tangible hope.Through my diagnosis and my role as Patron of Brain Tumour Research I speak to brain tumour patients every day; two people close to me have recently died from the disease and it’s heartbreaking. I am hopeful that game changing research here will lead to clinical trials for glioblastoma patients in Scotland like me. Theo Campbell Patient and Patron of Brain Tumour Research Glenn Campbell, journalist and patient, said that he was shocked at how little advances had been made into brain tumours during his lifetime after he was diagnosed with the illness and that more needed to be done. After my diagnosis, which was a hell of a shock, I made two instinctive decisions. One is to raise awareness about brain tumours and the incredible damage they can do which I have done through my personal documentary. The other decision I made was to raise as much money as I can to improve research into brain tumours. I set up a fundraising community called Brain Power, which raises money for brain tumour research and specifically for this new Centre. I think that the scientists that we have in Glasgow and Edinburgh are incredible and if they can work together, then anything is possible. And I’m sure that this centre for brain tumours is going to play a big part in making the developments that need to be made to try and get on top of brain tumours and the cancers associated with them. I am putting my hope and faith into researchers as part of this project and to make those breakthroughs for the patients so that they live longer and help to speed up the cure.” Glenn Campbell Journalist and Patient The new centre is a truly exciting milestone for brain tumour research in Scotland, and one that holds immense potential to advance understanding and develop new treatment options for glioblastoma. Beatson Cancer Charity is proud to be working in partnership with Brain Tumour Research and the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, to make this ambition a reality. The generosity of our supporters and donors demonstrates the level of commitment there is across Scotland to change the future for those affected by brain tumours. Thanks to their generosity today’s centre opening marks the start of that change. Gillian Hailstones CEO, Beatson Cancer Charity The launch of the new Centre was hugely significant for the brain tumour community in Scotland who, thanks to their generous support, have helped make the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence a reality. Glioblastoma patients desperately need new, improved treatments, so I welcome the prospect of more clinical trials being created for patients which will lead to better and kinder treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Dan Knowles Chief Executive, Brain Tumour Research Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity are investing £2.4 million in the Centre over the next five years. More than half that sum has been raised and a public appeal is ongoing. STV News reporting on the opening of the Scottish Centre for Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at IRR.Credited: STV News Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence Steve Pollard Research Group Professor Anthony Chalmers Brain Tumour Research Beatson Cancer Charity Tags CRM Publication date 30 Jan, 2025
