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Northern Ireland's first Cancer Research UK Centre, which aims to be a world leader in developing new treatments with fewer side effects for cancer patients, has been launched at Queen's University.


The Centre will focus on treating bowel, oesophagus and breast cancer by pioneering the latest techniques in radiotherapy, improving cancer diagnosis and developing new, more effective drugs.

Based at Queen’s Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, it’s only the third of its kind to open in the UK.

It will draw together world class research and areas of medical expertise to provide the best possible results for cancer patients nationwide.

The Belfast centre will collaborate with the others to identify new targets for cancer drugs, to understand how genes can help predict which treatment will be most effective and to develop specific new treatments with fewer side effects.

It aims to develop treatments tailored to individual cancer patients based on understanding the biology of the disease and how that varies among patients.

Cancer Research UK already supports research in Northern Ireland and is seeking to spend £2.5m a year to help develop the Centre.

It brings together researchers and support from Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Research and Development Office, Cancer Research UK and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Professor Peter Gregson said: “We are delighted that a Cancer Research UK Centre has opened at Queen’s University, recognising the world-class research being carried out by our academics.

“We hope to play a major role in developing cutting edge treatments to improve the prospects for cancer patients both here and across the world.”

Professor Patrick Johnston, Dean of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University and Chair of the board of the new centre, said: “This is a very exciting development for cancer care and cancer research in Northern Ireland. It will add greatly to the options available for cancer patients and is recognition of the quality of cancer care and cancer research already taking place at Queen’s University Belfast and the Belfast Trust.”

Allister Murphy, 52, has first hand experience of taking part in cancer research after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2008. Following a routine visit to his GP, a biopsy, MRI and bone scan confirmed that the cancer had spread to his spine, ribs and pelvis. Hormone treatment was recommended.

Dr Joe O’Sullivan is the lead for clinical research in prostate cancer at the new centre. Allister has taken part in trials to research an improved, more tailored treatment for advanced prostate cancer.

Allister said: “Taking part in this clinical trial means that while my present medication is working, Dr O’Sullivan and his team are investigating whether a combination of drugs in addition to hormone treatment would be more effective and this gives hope for the future – not just for me, but others.”

The IT consultant is proud that he has had no days off work in the last 34 years and that he has been able to maintain a very positive attitude to his illness.

Although still receiving treatment, Allister is living life to the full and is currently in training for the Belfast Marathon.

Professor Dennis McCance, director of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's University and a member the Centre's board, said: "This exciting new initiative will bolster our efforts to bring together a variety of researchers and clinicians to collaborate and work together to improve the lives of cancer patients across Northern Ireland. By building closer links between scientists and doctors we want to increase the pace of research, leading to improved treatments for patients.

"Northern Ireland is the third link in this exciting chain of cancer centres. We should rightly be proud of the part we’re playing in moving the latest scientific discoveries from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. We’ll be focusing our efforts on better diagnosis and developing new personalised treatments for patients which will include better and more effective drugs and improving radiotherapy."

Professor Bernie Hannigan, Director of Research and Development for Health and Social Care, Northern Ireland said: “Cancer research must be of the highest quality if it is to lead to better diagnosis, treatment and care of patients and to the prevention of cancer. Quality is achieved only when very costly resources are available to excellent clinicians and researchers.

“As a significant, long-term funder of cancer research in Belfast we are delighted with the establishment of the Cancer Research UK Centre. We look forward to great achievements as we work together for the benefit of Northern Ireland’s people.”

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Funding these centres of excellence is one of the charity's priorities and will enable us to work towards the goals we have set to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients. But we continue to welcome the generous donations we receive from the public to ensure we can continue to build on what we have started today."

Cancer Research UK plans to launch more centres around the UK during 2009.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.

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