
Our researchers and clinicians dedicate their careers to the prevention and treatment of cancer, and the care of patients. Their individual and collective quests for breakthroughs that will benefit society are the inspiration behind this collection of articles.
Drawn from our ‘Cancer Futures’ magazine, these features reflect Manchester’s breadth and depth of expertise from the laboratory to the bedside. They will give you a snapshot of our incredible cancer research activity and the people behind it.
You can also download the latest and previous editions of the Cancer Futures magazine.
Previous issue
Cancer Futures, issue 1 (PDF 15.2MB)
Stories about:
Changing lives and national policy
Professor Emma Crosbie discusses research into the link between Lynch syndrome and womb cancer, and how this has changed NICE guidance on testing for the syndrome.
Using graphene to tackle cancer
Nanomaterials like graphene have the potential to offer advanced tools for the early diagnosis, progression and treatment of cancer. Kostas Kostarelos, Professor of Nanomedicine, tells us about his work in this area.
Driving cancer drug discoveries
At the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), fundamental biology discoveries form the basis of potential new treatments for cancer. DDU Director Professor Caroline Springer tells us how the unit is innovating.
A multidisciplinary approach to cancer research in Manchester
Team science, which sees experts in different fields work together on a single research question, is yielding exciting results. Professor Rob Bristow explains why he sees this approach as transformative to the cancer research environment.
Driving changes in cervical screening
Ground-breaking research in cervical screening by Professor Emma Crosbie outlines the case for a Prevention and Early Detection (PED) approach.
Using nanotechnology for targeted delivery
Professor Kaye Williams' research involves exploiting nanotechnologies in different ways across her research programmes in the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry. Here, Kaye gives us an overview of how they are being used.
A meeting of giants
A collaboration involving cancer and advanced materials is taking shape to make huge advances in the earlier detection of cancer. Lead supervisor Professor Sarah Cartmell discusses the implications of the new programme.
Taking discovery research up a gear
Professor Stephen Taylor, Head of the Division of Cancer Sciences, explains how a combination of high-quality basic research, translational science, drug discovery and the 'Manchester way' of doing things are yielding results.
A local approach to world-leading cancer research
The Biomedical Research Centre’s director, Ian Bruce, talks about its approach to the prevention and earlier detection of cancer.
Reducing the risk
Professor Gareth Evans' research is focussed on neurofibromatosis and breast cancer. His research has led him to conclude that risk stratification offers the best way of targeting prevention and early detection (PED) approaches.
Bringing tomorrow’s medicines to patients today
Working together to scale up cancer research activity and develop best practice is what Dr Fiona Thistlethwaite considers is the answer to increasing Manchester’s ability to deliver cell therapy clinical trials.
An immunology revolution
Dr Santiago Zelenay is using his background in fundamental immunology to understand how the immune system can be used to design better therapies for cancer patients.
Bringing oncology and immunology together
Professor Tracy Hussell discusses the important link between immunology and cancer, and why Manchester is the perfect place to lead on research that could lead to better patient outcomes.
From bedside to bench and back again
Focusing on ovarian cancer and drug development, Professor Gordon Jayson tells us why Manchester’s ability to run multiple novel clinical trials is the key to us becoming recognised as international cancer research leaders.
Manchester’s place in tomorrow’s world
Professor Karen Kirkby, Director of the UK’s first proton beam and research centre, outlines how Manchester is pioneering ground-breaking research into the next generation of cancer challenges.
Influencing NHS policy
A change to lung cancer screening policy has been announced following the results of an unusual scheme pioneered in Manchester. Dr Philip Crosbie outlines why Manchester was the perfect place to trial the study.
Tackling reduction at home
Professor Andrew Renehan talks about his home-focused cancer research programme, which is resulting in global benefits.
The indisputable case for prevention and early detection
The cost of cancer to society as a whole is an estimated £5 billion a year – and these figures are set to increase. Professor Sir Salvador Moncada outlines why he considers the prevention and early detection of cancer the only way forward.
Taking on the challenge
When Professor Vaskar Saha saw the impact of childhood leukaemia in India, he asked: who can take on this challenge? Having already helped families across Europe to beat the disease, he knew that this was his calling.
Making a difference: Changing lives and meeting need
Professor Vaskar Saha’s research is helping to significantly reduce mortality rates in children being treated for cancer in India. Here he talks about his mission to transfer global standards of care to a low resource country.
Outlining the challenges
Professor Richard Marais, tells us about the offering of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre partnership and outlines the challenges and opportunities that are generated by the research community’s ever increasing knowledge of this complex disease.
Benefits of partnership: The Christie perspective
Director of Research at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Professor John Radford, tells us how team science is transforming patient outcomes and how personalised medicine can provide the solutions for cancer challenges in the next decade.
Cutting cancer through collaboration
Professor Paul Townsend is an academic entrepreneur with a unique position at the interface of research and industry. Here, Paul outlines what he considers will be the focus for future innovation in both sectors.
Developing pioneering treatments
Professor Caroline Dive CBE and her team are working with The Christie, developing ‘liquid biopsies’ to hunt cancer cells that have broken free from tumours and are circulating in the bloodstream. Here she tells us why her three year stay in Manchester has turned into 19 and counting!
Personalisation: Genetic signatures for radiotherapy
Professor Catharine West tells us how her decision to come to Manchester enabled her to pioneer developments in personalised radiotherapy.
Pioneering treatment
Clinical oncologist Professor Ananya Choudhury is leading one of the world’s most innovative radiotherapy treatment machines here in Manchester, one of the first seven of its kind globally. Here she tells us how the MR-linac will transform patient outcomes.
Paving the way for better prostate cancer treatment
Countries, including the UK, have been raising awareness about men’s health and diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer as part of the Movember campaign. Professor Catharine West tells us about the discovery of a new targeted and improved form of prostate cancer treatment.
Thinking differently
Andy Brass, Professor of Bioinformatics outlines the diversity of the data and expertise that is now needed in cancer research, from computer science through to medicine and genomics.
Aligning research to improve prostate cancer patient outcomes
A Canadian native and long-time supporter of the Movember Foundation, Professor Rob Bristow tells us about his ambitions around prostate cancer research.
Team science
Professor Rob Bristow explains why getting cancer team research aligned here at Manchester will lead to better patient outcomes globally.
Better together
Cancer Research at The University of Manchester takes place within the Division of Cancer Sciences where internationally renowned Clinical Oncologist, Professor Tim Illidge believes that it is the combination of clinical and scientific research teams, and their multidisciplinary working, which is driving innovations in personalised cancer medicine.
Go beyond the stories and find out more about Manchester’s cancer research.
Cancer research in Manchester takes place within a unique landscape where three world-leading organisations work hand in hand.
The potent expertise of Cancer Research UK, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and The University of Manchester comes together within the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC).
Discover more about cancer research at Manchester: