Scientists Launch Major Study on Personalized Cancer Treatments in the UK

 

A large-scale clinical study aimed at advancing personalized cancer therapies has been launched, with the goal of giving doctors real-time insights into the effectiveness of treatments. The £9 million initiative brings together the Francis Crick Institute, five NHS trusts, charities, and bioscience companies over the next four years to assess new immunotherapy treatments and explore innovative ways to detect cancer early.

This research effort, known as the Manifest project, is part of a broader £118 million investment by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. This funding will establish five new research hubs across the UK, focused on developing cutting-edge health technologies, including more affordable cancer scanners, AI-powered diagnoses, and faster drug testing through micro-dosing.

The Manifest project, led by the Crick Institute, will study tumors and blood samples from 3,000 cancer patients. Researchers aim to identify biomarkers—such as genes, proteins, or molecules—that may signal the presence of undetected cancer or predict the likelihood of its return. These findings could significantly enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, a promising treatment that uses a patient's immune system to attack tumors.

Professor Samra Turajlic, a lead researcher at the Crick Institute and consultant oncologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital, highlighted the progress in melanoma treatment. "When I started, people with advanced melanoma would typically die within six months. Now, more than half of those treated with immunotherapy live for at least 10 years," she said. However, Turajlic acknowledged that predicting which patients will benefit from immunotherapy remains a challenge.

The Manifest project will focus on four types of cancer: melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. It will gather extensive data from patients, including tumor samples, blood tests, and microbiome analysis, to develop a more accurate method of determining treatment effectiveness.

Collaborating partners in the study include the Royal Marsden and Barts Cancer Institute in London, the Christie in Manchester, NHS Lothian in Edinburgh, and Cambridge University Hospitals. The Cancer Research UK Biomarker Centre and IMU Biosciences are also involved in this effort.

In addition to the Manifest project, other initiatives supported by the UK Research and Innovation hubs will develop portable imaging tools to help surgeons better detect and remove tumors, and create a digital pathology network that will pool data for research purposes.

Peter Kyle, the Secretary for Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of these breakthroughs, noting that cancer has affected nearly every family in the UK. "These innovations could transform cancer treatment, offering hope to those affected and easing the pressures on the NHS. They also present opportunities to grow the UK’s life sciences industry," Kyle stated.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, also praised the initiative. "This investment will not only save lives but also position Britain as a leader in life sciences and medical technology," he said.