Pioneering new projects

A huge range of research is carried out at the Centre, looking into as many aspects of child brain tumours as possible:

  • Understanding the biological nature of CNS (central nervous system) tumours in relation to their origin: including the significance of biological and genetic alterations of different tumour types; their sensitivity or resistance to treatment; and the identification of targets for therapy
  • Viewing cancer as a disorder of development and studying the genes and physiological mechanisms which determine the nature of irregular cells in early life
  • Understanding the genetic and molecular fingerprints that affect tumour behaviour
  • Investigating the role of cutting-edge imaging in early diagnosis, determination of prognosis and response to treatment – new techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) can provide information on the biology of the tumour
  • Using in vitro models to investigate tumour and brain interactions and the effects of treatments
  • Undertaking unique collaborative research into drug treatments designed to affect brain tumour growth
  • Establishing a programme that develops drug delivery systems designed to target CNS tumours
  • Researching the links between clinical referral and diagnosis – hopefully improving the diagnostic process by promoting guidelines for health services and encouraging professional training
  • Investigating methods of diagnosis and using clinical trials to optimise the health outcomes for the child and family
  • Measuring the complexities of neuro-disability in children and young people of all ages and applying this methodology to the clinical trials of new therapies
  • Establishing a link between in vitro MRS imaging and late effects, following treatment and investigating the results in relation to thought processes, neurology and quality of life