Current research into children's and young people's cancers

Professor Pam Kearns is Director of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) in Birmingham. The unit co-ordinates clinical trials across the UK to find new, better and kinder ways to treat the different cancers that affect children and young people. As part of their work, the CRCTU works with scientists across the world to develop these new trials and treatments. 

Professor Richard Gilbertson is Co-Director of the Cancer Research UK Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence, supported by TK Maxx. This virtual centre brings together international experts in children’s brain tumour research with the aim of transforming the way treatments for these tumours are developed.

Professor Katrin Ottersbach at the University of Edinburgh is looking into the biology of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and how it develops in infants from pre-birth. This type of blood cancer is rare and affects children who are less than 1. She hopes this work will lead to the discovery of new early detection markers and targets for treatment for this type of cancer

In Newcastle, Dr Sarra Ryan believes that regions of DNA we haven't been able to decipher may contain errors that could contribute to some childhood cancers. She’s using state-of-the-art technologies to understand how these errors could lead to cancer. This research will enhance our understanding of how certain children and young people’s cancers develop and could improve survival for people with the disease.