Experimental cancer centres across the UK given huge funding boost

Experimental cancer centres across the UK have been given a £35 million funding boost in order to continue early stage cancer drug trials and research.

The Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) network is a group of 18 centres across the UK that test new drugs on dying patients who no longer respond to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The ECMC network has been given a huge funding boost into cancer research

Since the network launched in 2006 it has already supported more than 600 early phase studies across all major cancer types. In November, the network of labs announced a new project which will see the genes of 9,000 patients tested in a bid to improve therapies.

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our supporters, without whom it would not be possible to invest in this lifesaving work."

“The research these patients are involved in now will help provide the new treatments of the future. By contributing to this vital work, they are helping us make huge progress towards beating cancer.”

The Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre is part of the ECMC network, and is to receive £2m in funding from the Welsh government and cancer research UK over the next 5 years.

This unit has been focusing on research into acute myeloid leukaemia, a blood cancer with about 2,000 new cases every year in the UK. Professor Keith Lloyd, head of the Welsh government's National Institute for Social Care and Health Research, said:

"The work being done in Cardiff could lead to new treatments for the disease, so it is vital that funding has been secured.”

Patients with private medical insurance will also benefit from this funding boost. Health insurance customers often have access to new drugs and treatments which are not available for use on the NHS, so compare health insurance quotes online now.