Cancer
World-class cancer research, and product development is carried out in a number of hospitals, research institutions and companies in the region:
Academic and Healthcare Institutions:
The Liverpool Tissue Bank is a University of Liverpool resource located within the Department of Pathology, School of Cancer Studies. It has been collecting tumour and adjacent non-malignant tissues, surplus to diagnostic requirement, since 1992 from patients who are undergoing surgery to remove tissue where cancer is a confirmed or likely diagnosis. These samples have been banked to provide an invaluable resource for research groups investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer.
The Christie Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester. This is the largest cancer treatment centre of its kind in Europe, and second in the world only to MD Anderson in Houston. The Christie is a significant centre for clinical trials with access to a large patient population via the cancer network and has recently established the worlds largest oncology phase 1 trials unit.
Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology is one of the largest cancer centres in the UK, with nearly 7,000 new patients registered each year. They deliver treatment for patients through radiotherapy and chemotherapy services. To achieve this they have state-of-the-art imaging services to detect and plan treatment, together with supportive care from nursing and allied health professionals to address the palliative aspects of care and needs of family supporters.
The University of Liverpool Cancer Research Centre and institute of Cancer Studies. The ULCRC is undertaking a wide range of research into cancer, as well as training scientists and health workers. The University is already internationally renowned for its research work in the areas of gastric, colon, pancreatic, breast and lung cancer. Partners include: Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and the NW Cancer Research fund. The Centre was awarded UK Cancer Research Status in 2009.
Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool. The centre provides treatment for breast cancer, liver/colorectal cancer, eye cancer, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
Manchester Breast Centre's mission is to create a world-class centre for basic and translational breast cancer research, leading to effective detection and treatment of women at risk, and ultimately elimination of the disease. Breast cancer research in Manchester has a long history of excellence.
Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC). The MCRC brings together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations which already have formidable individual reputations in the fields of cancer treatment and clinical research. Partners include Cancer Research UK, The Christie, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research and the University of Manchester.
The Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester. The institute receives £8million annually from charitable sources, notably Cancer Research UK, and is part of the Christie Trust. The Institute is also developing a Translational Research Centre that will include the latest facilities for gene therapy, molecular diagnostics, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic studies.
Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC) adjacent to the Christie Hospital and the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research. This centre, the first of its kind in the world, provides imaging for cancer research using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and also houses a cyclotron source with a GMP manufacturing laboratory for testing short-lived radiolabelled drugs.
Companies addressing Oncology include:
AstraZeneca, Alderley Park in Cheshire. Research and development is carried out in the areas of cancer, anaesthetics and heart disease. AstraZeneca are world leaders in drug development for the treatment of prostate cancer (e.g. Casodex, the world's leading anti-androgen therapy) and breast cancer (e.g. Nolvadex, the world's most commonly-prescribed breast cancer treatment).
Epistem in Manchester. Epistem provides a pre-clinical contract research service focused upon epithelial tissues and their stem cells with specific expertise in cancers and cancer therapy side effects. Epistem is also developing oncology therapeutics and biomarkers.
Intellihep develop Heparin based therapeutics with a wide range of applications including inflammation, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis, wound healing, cancer, cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases.
Photo Therapeutics in Cheshire. The company develops photodynamic therapies for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer and precursor legions.
Qiagen, Manchester (formerly DxS) is a personalised medicine company providing molecular diagnostics to aid doctors and drug companies in selecting therapies for patients. Qiagen offers products, technology and services to the healthcare industry to enable the delivery of safe and effective medicines. Working predominantly in the field of cancer, DxS have a range of companion diagnostic and research kits that detect mutations in oncogenes associated with drug response.
TheRyte in Liverpool. TheRyte develop protein markers for cancer diagnostics and drug development.
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