Imperial Cancer Research UK Centre

Improving cancer survival rates across the globe is one of the key ambitions of a multi-million pound research centre launched this year.

The Imperial Cancer Research UK Centre involves more than 200 clinicians and scientists from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London working together to develop breakthrough treatments for the disease which is responsible for 6.7million deaths worldwide each year.

The Centre is a partnership between the Trust and the College, which together make up Imperial College academic health science centre (AHSC), and Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK already supports research at Imperial College London but is set to increase its contribution to £8m a year to develop the Centre.

The Centre will build upon the internationally renowned clinical and research strengths of our AHSC in robotic surgery, drug development and cancer imaging.

It will primarily focus on breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer research but being the hub of the West London Cancer Network, the Centre’s work will have a broad remit. For example, the AHSC’s population research into the causes of cancer is already well established and will continue to expand.

The Centre also aims to engage with the community, stakeholders and fundraisers to increase awareness and understanding of cancer in a bid to improve public health.

Professor Charles Coombes is chairman of the Centre’s steering committee. He is also head of the Division of Cancer at the College and consultant oncologist at the Trust.

He said: “We have ambitious plans to develop new cancer therapies and interventions which will save lives and improve the quality of care, not just in our hospitals but for cancer patients everywhere.

“We aim to improve all aspects of cancer care from prevention, detection and early diagnosis, to treatment and palliative care. We will give particular emphasis to personalised treatment so patients receive the care that best suits their clinical and emotional needs.

“This is a truly exciting venture which clearly demonstrates the benefits of being an AHSC where research breakthroughs are rapidly translated into improved treatments for patients.”

Professor the Lord Ara Darzi who is head of the Division of Surgery at the College and consultant surgeon at the Trust said: “The Centre’s research will be truly cutting edge and will set the pace for national and international progress in a number of cancers.

“I look forward to building on our pioneering work in robotic surgery, minimally invasive and imaged-guided surgery for the benefit of patients.”