Working together to put research at the top of the agenda in the fight against cancer
The University of Leicester is working in partnership with local Leicestershire and Rutland charity, Hope Against Cancer, to advance cancer research and deliver clinical excellence for patients.
The Hope Cancer Trials Centre, based in both the Osborne Building at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building at the University of Leicester, is an internationally renowned trials unit, dedicated to developing and delivering the most advanced therapies and techniques to its patients.
Opened in May 2012, the Centre is a long-standing collaborative effort between the University of Leicester’s Cancer Research Centre, Hope Against Cancer and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
It hosts a devoted research team of 46 staff with expertise across a diverse range of disease areas within cancer. There are approximately 100 different trials open and recruiting patients at any one time.
Hope Against Cancer, founded in 2003, supports cutting-edge cancer research in the Leicestershire and Rutland area, striving for a future where more local people survive cancer. It funds innovative research that leads to improved treatments and better outcomes for local people.
Each year the charity commits over £200,000 worth of funding for the Centre, which subsidises two NHS-funded nurses, enables the purchasing of new equipment, funds PhD studentships and early career researchers, and critically, increases investment into the expansion of trials.
In 2020, thanks to £1.5 million fundraising from supporters of the charity, the capacity of the Centre doubled providing a more streamlined service for both patients and staff. The facility now contains more clinical and administrative spaces, including:
- More beds for patient overnight stays
- 12 state of the art chemotherapy chairs for patient comfort during treatment
- New medical equipment to assist in patient care
- Blood processing facility room
- Drug storage and preparation area
- Two private consulting rooms
- A waiting area and refreshment area
- Improved patient area to feel more welcoming and relaxing
- A new administration office, containing 26 desks, an integrated private office and secure document storage areas
- A separate newly refurbished administrative office dedicated to the set-up of new research studies. The office also houses a cancer-specific pharmacy, radiotherapy and quality assurance team.
Dr Harriet Walter, Director of the Hope Cancer Trials Centre and Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Leicester, said:
“I am proud of the collaborative working relationship we have formed with Hope Against Cancer over the years - the Centre simply wouldn’t exist without them.
“Their support has enabled us to put research at the top of the agenda for cancer and ultimately provide better care for patients. It’s also been rewarding to train the next generation of cancer researchers, seeing some of them grow from students through to consultants as a result of Hope’s support.”
Professor Jacqui Shaw, Head of the Department of Genetics Genomics and Cancer Sciences at the University of Leicester, added:
“Through our long-established collaboration with Hope, we are making significant strides in the early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer – supporting us on our crucial mission to offer patients more effective treatment options.”
“The partnership holds exciting prospects for the future as we continue to push the boundaries of cancer research and improve patient care.”
Nigel Rose, Chief Executive of Hope Against Cancer, said: “Hope Against Cancer is proud to support the Centre’s great work and making sure we play our part in improving treatments and patient outcomes in our local communities. We rely on the ongoing support of local people, communities and businesses to raise the vital funds necessary each year to fund our fantastic Hope research nurses and further develop world-class cancer research here.”
Explore the Hope Cancer Trials Centre website.