Author: Laura Ruby

• New cancer research centre unites researchers across Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Brighton, University of Sussex and NHS to share research and resource
• Patients being put at the heart of the centre’s vision
• Centre will provide a ‘life-cycle’ of research – from work in the lab, to drug discovery, to clinical trials, to treatments.

A brand new pioneering centre dedicated to improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes has opened today in Sussex. The Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC), draws on the world-class cancer research from experts at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), University of Brighton, University of Sussex and in the NHS.  

The groundbreaking centre aims to provide an environment where researchers, clinicians and patients can share resources, insight, experience and expertise to improve cancer treatments and patient outcomes.

The team behind the centre say that the venture represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver significant improvements in care for cancer patients and drive further improvements in the life-chances of those diagnosed with cancer – putting people at the forefront of their research

The four co-founders of the centre are: Dr Simon Mitchell, Reader in Cancer Systems Biology at BSMS; Professor Melanie Flint, Professor of Stress and Cancer Research at the University of Brighton; Professor Timothy Humphrey, Professor of Translational Research and Genome Stability at the University of Sussex; and Clinical Oncologist Dr Duncan Gilbert of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Simon Mitchell said: “From day one, this will be a true collaboration. As a team, with a united vision to improve care for patients, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Cancer doesn’t recognise institutional boundaries, and to beat cancer we must cross those boundaries too.”  

Professor Timothy Humphrey said: “Almost everyone knows someone affected by cancer and we need their perspective to provide valuable input into our research direction. Our central goal is improved patient outcomes through supporting world-leading collaborative research.”

Professor Melanie Flint said: “We want to make sure Sussex is the best place in the country to do cancer research, so that the future leaders want to work here and stay here. The Sussex Cancer Research Centre will help attract, mentor, and support, ambitious cancer researchers for the benefit of cancer patients.”

By connecting researchers, patients and clinical partners it is hoped that resources, such as patient samples, will be more readily available. Research within similar areas will be more collaborative, such as the University of Brighton and BSMS work to study the effects of stress on patient’s psychology and on patient’s cells respectively. Resulting findings can then be used to identify potential drug targets to be investigated using the University of Sussex’s drug discovery pipelines. New treatments can then be trialled in collaboration with NHS colleagues and the BSMS Clinical Trials Unit.

Dr Duncan Gilbert, Clinical Oncologist at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “University Hospitals Sussex serves the second largest cancer patient population of any NHS organisation and has plans to move its cancer services to a new purpose-built cancer centre. This, we believe, will facilitate greater interactions with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre, including scientists, clinicians and patients. And, together with our NHS partners, will help our work to improve outcomes alongside prevention, early detection, and improving care and support for those with cancer across Sussex.”

Sussex Health and Care Integrated Care System brings together the universities, NHS in Sussex, local authorities and wider partners with an interest in health and care. It agreed its five year strategy Improving Lives Together which was published last year and which sets out the ambition for how partners will work together to improve health and care outcomes of the Sussex population now and for the future.

At the heart of the SCRC is the involvement of people living with cancer, encouraging them to participate in research through trials, providing input into grant applications, talking to students, and even shaping the research taking place. It is hoped that eventually, this could lead to more patients being able to enroll on clinical trials without leaving the area. 

Artist Markus Taylor was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in 2021 and is a public member of SCRC said: “I am really happy to be part of the new research centre because I know the team is very keen to listen to what people with cancer have to say. The centre is not just about cells, molecules, proteins, it’s not just about us being objects, clients, subjects, patients, it’s about real people living with real disease.

“I hope this centre will help to develop those conversations that are already happening between all those tied together by cancer; the people that have it, the scientists, doctors and consultants – sharing information, sharing knowledge and stories.  Let’s talk, let’s share things, let’s move things on. To be part of that is incredible.”

The centre will also benefit the next generation of cancer researchers by giving both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the three institutions the opportunity to get involved as part of their studies with mentoring programmes and a PhD studentship benefitting from the experience of working with a multi-institution and interdisciplinary cancer research centre.

Anybody wishing to know more should go to (www.sussexcancer.org) and click “Get Involved”. There will also be a chance to meet cancer researchers and learn more at events which will be announced through the website.  

ENDS

Introductory SCRC film

A full interview with Markus Taylor is enclosed as a separate file.

Educational initiatives offered by SCRC include:

Cancer mentoring program: Allowing experienced researchers to mentor more junior researchers across institutions to provide advice and training. 

Research grants: Four ‘pump priming’ grants worth £15,000 each donated by BSMS, University of Brighton, University of Sussex and the Sussex Cancer Fund will be used to build collaborations across multiple institutions with the SCRC. It is hoped that this will lead to larger multi-site grant submissions. 

PhD studentship: A three-year fully funded PhD studentship funded by BSMS and the School of Life Sciences at University of Sussex to encourage research excellence and solidify a new multi-institution collaboration.