Researchers Welcome UK Rejoining The EU Horizon Programme

Medical research organisations and charities have welcomed the news that the UK is to rejoin the EU’s flagship collaborative research programme Horizon. This will allow UK-based researchers to apply for grants and take part in projects under the programme, including those in under-represented areas such as brain cancer.

Britain has been excluded from the £85bn research programme since the official exit from the EU in January 2020. Previously, the UK was one of the most active participants in the programme. Although scientists have still been officially eligible to apply for funding, the process has been hugely hampered by red tape around data and cost sharing.

Now a deal has been made to allow the UK to rejoin Horizon, after a three-year delay as the Northern Ireland Brexit agreement remained mired in discussions and disagreements. The new deal is thought to be worth £2bn a year, with rebates if grants to UK scientists do not match this amount. 

Thomas Brayford, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented: “The association with Horizon is a huge win for brain tumour researchers across the country and allows them to build on years of collaborative research with their European partners.”

He added: “Importantly, it also ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of science and innovation.” Other non-EU countries, including Norway, New Zealand and Israel are also a part of the programme, and there is the possibility of Canada, Japan and South Korea joining in the future. 

Horizon is the largest medical and scientific collaborative research scheme in the world, and it allows individual nations to develop research projects at a far faster pace than they otherwise would have been able to. This is why medical research groups in particular have expressed their delight in the news that the UK is to become a full member once again.

Beth Thompson, Chief Strategy Officer of the Wellcome Trust, said: “Collaboration schemes make it a lot easier for scientists to work together across borders.”

She added: “This means really big collaborations such as the Human Brain Project, involving 500 researchers in 19 countries to help us understand how the brain works and how to address neurological problems, can take place with ease.”

“It can also mean researchers can come together to investigate things like rare diseases, at a scale that wouldn’t be possible within one country.”

“Collaboration is great for the vitality of science in the UK and elsewhere, and it’s great for new discoveries and innovation and the economy. But it’s also great for health and helping to solve the urgent health challenges the world faces.”

The news is particularly welcome for campaigners who have been calling on the UK government to improve the funding and clinical trial process into brain cancer treatment. Espite £40m over five years being allocated for this purpose in 2018, so far only £10.7m of these funds have been allocated to brain tumour research studies.

If you would like to find out more about brain cancer treatment and Gamma Knife surgery in the UK, please contact Mr Neil Kitchen of Amethyst Radiotherapy.

Could Ketogenic Therapy Diet Help To Manage Brain Tumours?

Brain tumours are growths of cells in the brain, which can either start in the brain (primary brain tumours) or spread to the brain from other parts of the body (secondary or metastatic brain tumours). There are over 130 types of brain tumour, some of which are benign (non cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous).

When a brain tumour is diagnosed, it will be given a grade of 1 to 4, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Grade 1 and 2 brain tumours are slow growing and unlikely to spread to other parts of the brain, although they can still cause damage if they are left untreated.

Grade 3 and 4 brain tumours are fast growing and cancerous, and more likely to spread to other parts of the brain. The treatment for a brain tumour will depend on its grade, and also the size and location in the brain and the general health of the patient. A specialist may recommend surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

Some people with brain tumours are interested in exploring complementary therapies that can be used alongside conventional therapies or surgery. One such therapy that is currently undergoing research is ketogenic diet therapy (KDT). This involves eating low amounts of carbohydrates, moderate protein and high levels of fat.

According to the charity Brain Tumour Research, KDT triggers multiple biochemical pathway changes that may have a protective effect on neurological functions. However, more evidence is needed before it can be recommended as an effective management therapy for brain tumour patients.

The KDT has been used to effectively help manage other medical conditions, including epilepsy, before anticonvulsant medicines were invented. It is thought that it may be beneficial for some brain tumour patients, because cancer cells process energy differently to healthy cells. 

Cancerous cells use very high levels of glucose which is derived from carbohydrates, but they cannot make effective use of fats or ketones. Therefore, by restricting the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, blood glucose levels will always remain at normal levels and this may inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous cells. 

However, research is still in the early stages. The Brain Tumour Research charity reports that a clinical trial protocol for KDT is being put in place in the UK, and extra funding is currently being sought to take the process forwards. 

People who have been treated for a brain tumour may experience some lasting after effects, including problems with movement, speech, and an increased risk of seizure and stroke. The NHS recommends following general healthy lifestyle advice, including stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, and eating a healthy balanced diet. 

If you would like to find out more about brain tumour treatment, please contact Mr Andrew McAvoy of Amethyst Radiotherapy.

 

What Is The Link Between Skin Cancer And Brain Metastasis?

Brain metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to the brain from another part of the body, and sadly it is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related deaths. One of the most common types of cancer that can metastasise to the brain is melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. Here is some more information about risk factors, symptoms, and treatments.

What is the main cause of melanoma?

The main cause of melanoma is skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. This can be from the sun, or from an artificial light source such as a sun bed. People with pale skin, lots of moles, or a history of melanoma in the family are most at risk. However, anyone can be affected, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself from UV light.

How can you minimise the risk of skin cancer?

In many cases, skin cancer is preventable by avoiding the use of sunbeds and taking extra care outdoors, particularly between March and October when the sun is at its strongest. Whenever possible, stay in the shade between the hours of 11am and 3pm during these months.

When you are outdoors, apply a high factor sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) to all areas of exposed skin. Cover up with a wide brimmed hat, UV protection sunglasses, and close weave cotton clothing for extra protection. Remember that UV is still present even on a cloudy day, so you should still take precautions when outside whatever the weather.

Children’s skin is particularly delicate and sensitive to the sun, so take extra care to keep them protected. If you are by the sea or a pool, remember to reapply sunscreen after they have been in the water. More information on sun safety can be found on the NHS website.

What are the symptoms of skin cancer?

Check your skin regularly for any changes or warning signs, particularly in areas that are often exposed to the sun. Common symptoms of skin cancer include a sore that doesn’t heal within four weeks. It may look red and rough with raised edges, or white or pink with a shiny surface. It may feel sore to touch, and itch or bleed

Moles that have changed in appearance, or you have noticed for the first time may be a sign of melanoma. Normal moles are round or oval shaped with smooth edges. If you notice a mole that has mixed colours, blurred edges, is growing or swollen and itchy or crusty, then it’s advisable to contact your doctor who may refer you to a specialist.

How is skin cancer treated?

Skin cancer is usually treatable, especially if it has been caught in the early stages. The main form of treatment is surgery to remove the melanoma and any other cancerous cells that have spread in the body. Sometimes an area of healthy skin around the melanoma is removed to minimise the risk of the melanoma returning.

Radiotherapy may also be used, especially if a large area is affected or the cancer is in an area that is difficult to operate on.

If you are looking for radiotherapy hospitals in the UK, please visit our website today.

What Is A Cavernoma And How Can It Be Managed And Treated?

A cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, and in most cases, it has a similar appearance to a raspberry. They can be found in the brain or more rarely the spinal cord and can be very small or measure several centimetres. Here is some further information about the condition and its treatments. 

According to the NHS, cavernomas are sometimes also known as cavernous angiomas, cavernous haemangiomas, or cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM).They are sometimes confused with a brain tumour, but this is not accurate, as it is a group of blood vessels. They are non-cancerous and do not spread to other areas of the body.

However, cavernomas can grow in size which may lead it to press on other parts of the brain and this can cause complications. There is also a risk of bleeding, which may be mild or severe depending on the individual. Once one bleed (or haemorrhage) has occurred, this increases the likelihood of another one.  Multiple or single cavernomas may be present.

Symptoms of cavernoma

Symptoms may vary from person to person, and they can depend on the size and location of the cavernoma. Sometimes they do not cause any symptoms at all. The most common symptoms include haemorrhage, seizures, dizziness, slurred speech, vision disturbances, fatigue, headaches, and problems with memory and concentration.

Causes of cavernoma

There is thought to be a genetic link in around half of all cavernoma cases, but according to the NHS, the condition can also occur randomly. Genetic testing is available to determine whether the condition has been passed on through a parent to a child. 

There may be an increased risk of cavernoma if a person has previously had radiotherapy or some other form of radiation exposure. 

Cavernoma Alliance UK, a charity that supports patients and their families and campaigns to raise awareness of the relatively unknown condition, reports that there is conflicting evidence as to the frequency of cavernomas. One study found that 1 in every 625 people in the UK has an asymptomatic cavernoma, which equates to about 108,000 people.

Another study found that prevalence was much higher, with undiagnosed cases occurring in 1 person in every 217. 

How are cavernomas diagnosed?

Cavernomas that are not causing severe symptoms are often diagnosed during investigations for other conditions. The most reliable diagnostic tool is considered to be an MRI scan, although CT scans or angiography can be used.

How are cavernomas treated?

Treatment will depend on the individual, and on the size, location, and amount of cavernomas present. The cavernoma may be monitored or surgery may be offered. This may be in the form of neurosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery, also known as Gamma Knife surgery. 

Cavernomas can be treated by Mr Patrick Grover at Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre, Amethyst Radiotherapy UK.

What Are The Most Common Treatments For Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the nerves and causes disruption to the way that messages are carried to the brain. This can result in a range of symptoms that may be invisible, mild, moderate, or severe. There is currently no cure for MS, but it can be treated and managed.

The treatment may depend on the type of MS that is diagnosed, and the individual symptoms that are present. The NHS reports that there have been considerable advances in treatments over the past 20 years, and research into new therapies is continually ongoing.  

There are two main types of MS: relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS. The former type is the most common, making up between 80% and 90% of all MS diagnosis. Symptoms may flare up and then relapse or even disappear at intervals. In some cases, periods of remittance can last for several years.

According to the NHS, about two thirds of people with relapsing remitting MS will go on to develop secondary progressive MS, which involves a gradual worsening of symptoms rather than peaks and troughs of severity. 

Primary progressive MS (PPMS) is diagnosed in 10-15% of people with the condition. In this case, symptoms develop gradually and become worse over time, with no marked relapses. In some cases, early relapses may occur in PPMS, and this is referred to as active primary progressive MS. 

Symptoms for all types of the condition can be similar, but they can also vary in severity and some people will not experience all of the symptoms. The most common include fatigue, problems with walking, balance and muscle coordination, blurred vision, and muscle stiffness and spasms. 

Identifying the right treatment for MS requires expert medical advice, because it depends on the type of disease, the symptoms present, and how far the condition has progressed. While there is no cure, in some cases the progression of the disease can be slowed down, and the severity of the symptoms can be eased. 

According to the MS Society, everyone who has been diagnosed with the condition should be offered a review of their treatment with a specialist at least once a year. 

RRMS can be treated with disease modifying therapies (DMTs). There are already various products that have been approved for use in the UK, and an MS specialist will be able to advise about which ones are the most suitable for individual patients.

DMTs are not usually used to treat people with secondary or primary progressive MS, although there are some exceptions. The MS society reports that a new drug called ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) can be used to treat PPMS if caught in the early stages, and the person meets certain eligibility criteria. 

Alongside treatments, symptoms can be managed by rehabilitation therapies including physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. 

Mr Jonathan Hyam of Amethyst Radiotherapy is a specialist in treating multiple sclerosis and nerves damage. 

If you are looking for radiotherapy hospitals in the UK, please visit our website for more information.

TV Presenter Sarah Beeny Discusses Her Cancer Treatment

The TV presenter Sarah Beeny has spoken about her journey through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in a new documentary. She also revealed that her mother died from cancer aged just 39, after cancerous cells spread to her brain. Sarah was just 10 years old at the time.

Tragedy struck twice when Sarah’s stepmother died of brain tumour in 2012. Sarah herself was then diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, but fortunately she has now been given the all-clear after undergoing a double mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. 

Sarah has spoken to The Guardian newspaper about her experience. She said: “If I told this story, there might be loads of people who wouldn’t be so scared. Because living with the fear of cancer is really hard. It’s disproportionate to the risk. I’m not going to say that all cancer is the same, breast cancer is completely different. 

She also reflected on how different her own experience has been compared with her mother’s. She said: “But I do know that with all cancer treatment, we can base our fears largely on something that happened 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, to someone we loved.” 

Devastatingly, Sarah learned from oncologists when making the documentary that her mother would have survived with modern cancer treatments. Her family history has motivated Sarah to support the cause of brain tumour research, which has traditionally been an underfunded area of cancer research in the UK. 

Hugh Adams of the charity Brain Tumour Research said: “Sarah became involved with us more than a decade ago.”

He added: “Her support was influenced by her mother’s breast cancer which metastasised to her brain, and we know that the steps and improvements that have been made to prevent this cancer progression in Sarah’s case was something she was keen to explore in the film.” 

“We have been really grateful that, even during the height of her treatment, Sarah found time to support our campaigns and her photographs during her treatment have been an inspiration to many experiencing hair loss following chemotherapy.”

 

What is a metastatic brain tumour?

A metastatic brain tumour occurs when cancer spreads from elsewhere in the body, and they are also known as secondary brain tumours. The condition most occurs after a diagnosis of breast, lung, skin, colon, kidney, or thyroid gland cancer. 

Metastatic brain tumours are up to five times more prevalent than primary brain tumours which originate in the brain. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of brain tumour, although they will vary depending on where the tumour is growing in the brain.

Common symptoms include headaches, feeling dizzy, fits or seizures, confusion, problems with memory and language, and numbness on one side of the body. There is currently no cure for secondary brain tumours, but they can be treated and managed with surgery, steroids, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. 

Brain tumours can be treated by Mr Andrew McAvoy, a consultant neurosurgeon at Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre, Amethyst Radiotherapy UK.

Could AI Find The Best Treatment For Prostate Cancer?

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has been much debated in recent years, with some seeing it as having great potential to benefit us and others featuring fears that it could either destroy millions of jobs or even turn against humanity with deadly effects.

It is not just in this country that a famous Austrian may loom large in the mind when the last of these ideas is discussed, but the reality of AI may be less about Skynet and Judgement Day and more about ‘terminating’ tumours and other forms of cancer.

AI offers some very exciting possibilities for spotting and treating cancer, as a new technology being developed now has shown a lot of potential in trials to help spot what even the leading oncologists and radiotherapists cannot do on their own.

Prostate cancer treatment could be the next field in which patients gain from the use of AI. This will include helping the specialists to assess whether those who have undergone treatment in a radiotherapy centre will need to undergo long-term hormone therapy, a treatment that can bring many unpleasant side effects.

The innovation has been developed by Duke University in the United States and would use AI to establish which patients will need hormone therapy and which ones have already had the necessary treatment to ensure their survival and recovery.

Researchers at the university’s Cancer Institute presented findings this month at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting of the work they undertook to develop the AI-based biomarker and how it worked.

They used data from six studies covering 2,600 men who had undergone treatment using radiotherapy and long-term hormone treatment to develop it and then carried out a randomised trial on nearly 1,200 more men to validate the results.

Developed in conjunction with ArteraAI, the biomarker read the biopsies and clinical data to decide which of the men needed the extra hormonal therapy and who could manage without.

Overall, it revealed 34 per cent of men would benefit from short-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) without needing to take it over the long term, plus 43 per cent who would benefit from long-term ADT.

Lead author of the study Professor Andrew Armstrong said: “Along with radiotherapy, ADT improves survival and reduces risk of metastasis in men with high-risk localized prostate cancer, but not all men need to be on therapy over the long term.”

Of course, the use of AI is not necessary to understand everything about prostate cancer as much is well known, such as the fact that there is a racial disparity in vulnerability to the disease.

Hollywood actor Colin McFarlane, who has just been diagnosed with the disease, revealed he has been tested regularly after discovering that black men are twice as likely as their white counterparts to suffer prostate cancer.

Nonetheless, while vulnerability can be easily established, much more is there to be discovered about the effectiveness of treatments for the disease, including radiotherapy. It may be that far from threatening humanity, AI will help oncologists and radiotherapists to put an end to prostate cancer tumours.

What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological condition that affects the nerves and brain. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the substance that protects the nerve fibres. Over 130,000 people are currently living with MS in the UK. Here’s a look at the early warning signs to be aware of.

According to the MS Society, most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 30 and 60, but the first symptoms often appear years before an official diagnosis is made. As the nerve fibres become damaged, messages are not able to travel as efficiently to the brain or may become blocked altogether.

The central nervous system is responsible for coordinating the actions of the entire body, so over time a wide range of symptoms can develop. These will vary in type and severity between individuals and can come and go over time, but there are some more common signs to watch out for. As the condition progresses, it can result in severe disability.

 

Problems with eyes and vision

About half of all people with MS will experience problems with their eyes. These include optic neuritis, double vision, and involuntary eye movements. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which results in blurred vision, pain when moving the eyes, and muted colour vision. 

 

Balance problems and dizziness

The feeling of being off balance or dizzy is a common symptom of MS. This can make walking more difficult and increase the risk of falls. 

 

Bladder and bowel problems

In some people with MS, the messages that signal when the bladder needs emptying are disrupted, resulting in the need to urinate frequently. The bladder may not fully empty in some cases, which can exacerbate the problem.

MS can also affect the control of the bowels, leading to constipation or leakage. These are uncomfortable and distressing issues, but they can be managed with diet, medication, or surgery. 

 

Cognitive difficulties

Most people with MS will experience problems with memory and thinking to some degree. This can make it difficult to plan ahead, learn new topics, concentrate, recall information, multitask, and select the right words when speaking or writing. 

Some people are only affected mildly and are able to go about their daily lives with much trouble. Therefore it is often missed as an early warning sign of MS. In some cases, people describe the above symptoms as ‘brain fog’. It may be accompanied by mood changes and other mental health problems. 

 

Tremors

Tremors are involuntary shaking or trembling movements that can vary from mild to severe in MS patients. 

 

Numbness or tingling

Unusual levels of numbness or tingling in the limbs is a common early symptom of MS. 

 

Stiffness or spasms

Muscle spasms or stiffness affects between 40% and 80% of MS patients, but are usually occasional symptoms according to the MS Society.

There is currently no cure for MS, but it can be treated and managed by dedicated medical teams. Mr Jonathan Hyam is a consultant who specialises in neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis and nerves damage, practising privately at Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre, part of Amethyst Radiotherapy UK. 

If you are looking for radiotherapy centres in the UK, please get in touch today.

New Study Could Lead To Breakthrough Glioblastoma Treatment

A study by French and Swedish researchers has found that cancer cells could be modified to cause them to self-destruct. Yahoo News reports that the study was specifically carried out on glioblastomas, which is one of the most common and aggressive forms of brain tumour. 

The established treatment for glioblastoma is surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, most adults diagnosed with the condition die within two years. Glioblastoma cells contain a protein known as IRE1 that is particularly resistant to chemotherapy. 

Researchers from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden carried out a joint research project that involved screening 15 million molecules to see how they reacted with proteins in the body. 

When tested against cancer cells, the scientists found that a certain molecule known as Z4P was instrumental in reducing the potency of cancer cells and also made it more difficult for them to spread around the body. 

The method was tested on mice in combination with a drug called temozolomide that is used to treat glioblastomas. It was found that the tumour shrank and did not return even after 200 days.

Eric Chevet, head of a cancer research laboratory of INSERM said: “Cancer cells are stressed cells, they’re not normal, they’re fundamentally stressed, and they end up using stress response mechanisms to gain advantages.” 

He added: “The advantage is that they are more resistant, stronger and able to migrate, so they are better able to withstand additional stresses such as chemotherapy.”

Leif Eriksson, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Gothenburg and co-author of the study added: “We have now succeeded in stopping this hijacking by inserting a specially developed molecule in the cells that inhibits one of these hijacked adaptive mechanisms in the cancer cells. This causes the cancer to self-destruct.” 

He continued: “Today, cancer treatment consists of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, all cancer cells are not killed and the tumour returns. Once the cancer relapses, the tumour cells have often spread and developed resistance.” 

“These are the first clear results with brain tumours that can lead to a treatment which completely avoids surgery and radiation. We have also begun studying the use of our substance on other aggressive tumour forms like pancreatic cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and certain liver cancers.” 

“It largely depends on whether funding comes in that allows taking the different steps as smoothly as possible. If I’m optimistic, perhaps it might take five years. That’s a short timeframe, but at the same time glioblastomas are nearly 100 per cent fatal, so any improvement in medical care is major progress.” 

While this is promising news for people who have received a distressing diagnosis of a glioblastoma, it seems that it will be several years before it can be approved as a safe and effective brain tumour treatment. Glioblastomas can currently be treated by Mr George Samandouras at Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre, the part of Amethyst Radiotherapy UK.

EastEnders Star Danielle Harold Meets Brain Tumour Patient

The long running BBC soap EastEnders has recently been tackling a difficult and sensitive subject, as the character Lola Pearce undergoes brain tumour treatment. The storyline has met with a huge response from fans and current and former brain tumour patients.

The show’s scriptwriters carried out some careful research to prepare for the storyline, including working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to ensure that the portrayal was accurate and realistic.

The actress who plays Lola, Danielle Harold, talked to brain tumour patients in preparation for the role, and discovered how the condition affected their family and friends.

Now the storyline is coming to a conclusion, Danielle has taken time out of her schedule to meet Kylie Weatherby, 24, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour when she was pregnant with twins in 2021. Kylie was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is fast growing and required immediate treatment.

Kylie underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a further brain tumour last year, this time a rare stage two pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) tumour. She is currently undergoing further treatment and described watching EastEnders as an emotional experience.

She said: “When the doctor told Lola and Jay they’d found a brain tumour and that it could be cancerous, I was biting my lip. Then they started crying and I just let it out. When you’ve been through it yourself, watching someone else go through it is really emotional.”

The charity Brain Tumour Research arranged for Kylie to meet Danielle Harold and tour the EastEnders studios in Borehamwood.

Kylie said: “I’m so grateful to the charity for organising my visit to EastEnders and for introducing me to Danielle, who I hit it off with straight away. It was without a doubt one of the happiest days of my life, and such an amazing treat.”

Miss Harold said: “It was great meeting Kylie and honestly felt like we’d known each other for years.”

“I showed her around the set, introduced her to my fellow cast members, chatted to her about her journey post-diagnosis and asked if there was anything I should do with Lola because it’s so important that I reflect what’s happening to real people in the brain tumour community.”

Danielle went on to explain how many people have been in contact with her since the story began.

She said: “’It’s become quite hard for me to switch off. I’ve not really wanted to switch off, to be honest, because I’ve got to meet so many people that live with brain tumours, people that have lost loved ones to brain tumours, children that have died as well, it’s become such a huge part of my life with these people, I can’t thank them enough for sharing their stories.”

Charities and other organisations are currently campaigning to raise awareness of brain tumours, which currently receives far less research funding than most other types of cancer.

Glioblastomas are the most common type of brain tumour. They can be treated with radiation therapy by specialist consultants including Mr George Samandouras of Amethyst Radiotherapy.