ALMOST £4.5 million is to be put into cancer research over the next five years in Scotland.
Cancer Research UK has announced plans to invest the funds at the charity’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) in Glasgow.
The grant will allow doctors and scientists to continue “groundbreaking” work in finding better and kinder treatments for patients.
The centre, based at Glasgow University, gives people with cancer access to treatments by linking laboratory discoveries to clinical research in hospitals and clinics across the UK.
Victoria Steven, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “This crucial investment recognises the fantastic research taking place in Glasgow.
“One-in-two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives – so it’s reassuring to know that, thanks to our supporters, Cancer Research UK is able to fund some of the best and most promising research here in Scotland, to help more people survive.”
Trials are currently under way at the CTU to help find better treatments for patients with brain tumours, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Its PRIMUS trials are part of a major programme of research being led by scientists in Glasgow which could transform pancreatic cancer trials in the UK.
Professor Robert Jones, CTU lead, said: “Patients who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have tumour tissue sent to labs in Glasgow for genetic testing.
“Depending on the results of this testing, the patient is then offered one of a growing suite of clinical trials which we hope will be best suited to the particular form of the disease that they have.
“We believe that this approach will result in better treatment, by avoiding the side effects of the current ‘one size fits all’ chemotherapy.”
The latest funding announcement follows a major review by the charity of all its Cancer Research UK CTUs.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here