RESEARCHERS at the University of York have received £2.5 million to advance pioneering work into blood cancers.
The funding from Cancer Research UK, announced today - World Cancer Day, will help to improve care for people diagnosed with blood cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
The boost will support the university’s Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN) -one of the world’s most comprehensive blood cancer research databases.
HMRN works with 14 hospitals across Yorkshire and the Humber and tracks data on everyone diagnosed with a blood cancer in the region - about 3,000 people annually - to provide uniquely accurate data across all types of blood cancers.
The funding will help scientists deepen their understanding of how blood cancers are diagnosed, treatment outcomes and health inequalities, and could lead to fairer, more effective care.
There are more than 100 types of blood cancers, which are most commonly diagnosed in older adults but can affect people of any age.
HMRN works with clinicians across the region and the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. Every patient sample is put through advanced testing in one central laboratory and classified to the highest standards.
The work allows clinicians and researchers to compare like for like cases, track trends, and understand the impact of new cancer drugs and treatments.
The data is also used to inform NICE decisions, national clinical guidelines and NHS planning.
HMRN is led by Professor Alexandra Smith, an epidemiologist at the University of York, who said Cancer Research UK's continued support had helped HMRN to create a rich and vital database.
She said: “HMRN’s regional population of around four million people has a similar age and gender profile to the UK as a whole, and a comparable socioeconomic and population distribution to England.
"These similarities mean we’re uniquely placed to generate findings that can be generalised nationally and help inform policy and clinical decision-making.”
Patients diagnosed with a blood cancer in the region are automatically included in the database. Many also choose to share information about their lives and experiences, helping clinicians and researchers identify patterns that could save lives.
Professor Debra Howell, deputy director of the Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group at the University of York, said patients' insight and additional support was crucial.
“Their anonymous data has already helped shape how older people are treated, how newly-approved drugs are used in the NHS, and how patients on long-term oral therapies can be better supported.”
Cancer Research UK's funding, in addition to its previous £5million investment, will enable the team to investigate health inequalities in blood cancer outcomes, including why people living in more deprived areas may not respond as well to treatment, despite receiving the same care.
Researchers will also continue vital work into vulnerable groups, including how patients respond to infections and vaccinations, such as Covid19.
Lydia Bird, of Cancer Research UK said: “We’re proud to support the exceptional HMRN team. Our funding will help researchers better understand different types of blood cancer and why treatment works better for some people than others.
“This work will benefit not only people in Yorkshire, but communities across the UK and potentially the world. Insights from HMRN could help shape future policy and improve care, so that many more people affected by cancer can live longer, better lives.”
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