Charities To Establish New Brain Tumour Research Centre
As we enter Glioblastoma Awareness Week (GMB Week) from 15-21 July this year, The Brain Tumour Charity has announced an important step forward for the field of brain tumour research as they team up with the Beatson Cancer Charity. They will establish a new research centre in Scotland in an attempt to find a cure.
During the collaboration, leading experts in the field of brain tumour research will work together and in partnership with Glasgow University and Edinburgh University. It will be the base for the biggest group of GMB researchers in the UK.
What is GMB Week all about?
GMB is dedicated to raising awareness of GBM, which is the most commonly diagnosed high-grade (cancerous) brain tumour in adults. It is a devastating disease with a prognosis of just 12- 18 months. Approximately 3,200 adults are diagnosed with a GMB each year in the UK.
What are the treatment options for GMB?
Currently treatment options mainly include surgery, chemotherapy and radiosurgery. However, the method of treatment will vary depending on the size and location of the tumour, and the general health and preferences of the patient.
The first line of treatment is usually neurosurgery to remove the bulk of the tumour. However, because GMBs often have diffuse edges, it can be difficult to remove the tumour completely. This means that some of the tumour may remain and have the potential to grow. In this case, the GMB may be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
An advanced method of radiation treatment that may be suitable for small remaining parts of the tumour is Gamma Knife Surgery. This is a type of stereotactic radiotherapy that is designed to deliver closely targeted beams of gamma rays that leave the surrounding healthy tissue intact.
The higher dosage of radiation means that often the treatment is delivered in one session, which can last from about 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the size and nature of the area being treated.
Funding is still required for the new research centre
The Brain Tumour Research chief executive, Dan Knowles, explained that they were still working to secure funding for the new research centre in Scotland. If successful, the team aims to run clinical trials for potential new GBM treatments.
Knowles said: “New, improved treatments for GBM patients are desperately needed. At present, new discoveries and approaches are not progressing quickly enough into clinical testing in patients.”
“The Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence will help bridge this gap leading to pivotal preclinical proof-of-concept data to support clinical trial development for patients.
“The centre represents a significant investment in Scotland and would complement our other centres of excellence at the University of Plymouth, Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and the Institute of Cancer Research.”
Martin Cawley, Beatson chief executive, said: “This is such an exciting initiative and one which has the positive potential to make a significant impact into advancing research and ultimately new treatment options for brain tumours.
“Beatson Cancer Charity is delighted to be working in partnership with Brain Tumour Research to make this happen. I have no doubt this will result in a deeper understanding of the complexity of brain tumours and lead to a breakthrough in exciting new treatments in the years ahead.”
The only way to provide more advanced treatments and even a possible cure for aggressive brain tumours is through more research into the causes and drivers of the disease. This is only possible through adequate and well-administered funding levels that are available for research projects as well as drug development.
Over the past few decades, developments have been extremely limited and progress has been frustratingly slow. However, charities such as the Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence continue to do vital research, and they work in partnership with a range of other organisations, from world leading university departments to other research charities.
Despite the slow progress in new treatments, there are many excellent centres for the treatment of brain tumours in the UK, offering the most cutting edge techniques available, as well as robust post-treatment care plans.
If you would like some more information about Gamma Knife surgery and brain cancer, please contact Mr Neil Kitchen of Amethyst Radiotherapy.
