Summary of the impact

Cancer research at the University of Salford focuses on developing new and improved treatments for cancer, particularly for children with cancer, demonstrating the following impact:

• The development of RH1, a novel anticancer drug and a second generation novel agent, Es5, arising from RH1;
• Participation in clinical studies in paediatric and adult cancers with North West, UK and international partners in the health, charitable and commercial sectors to trial and develop the technologies;
• The establishment of spin-out company, Onco-NX to develop and exploit the technologies and IP arising from the research;
• The establishment of Kidscan, a University-based registered charity to support research into new and improved treatments for children with cancer and generating dedicated support for and commitment to cancer research among North West UK communities.

Summary of the impact

The University of Nottingham spin out company Scancell Holdings plc is developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. By licensing products (£6million) and listing and raising money (£4million) on the stock exchange, it has provided an excellent return for investors. In 2012, in response to good clinical trial results, Scancell's shares showed the greatest percentage increase (10fold) on London's AIM stock exchange, reaching a market capitalisation of £98million. This has encouraged further investment (£6.5million) which is in line with the Government's plan to promote the Biotechnology Industry. As the products progress to market it will save further lives and continue to increase in value providing further profit for investors.

Summary of the impact

An antibody screening test for early detection of cancer was developed in the laboratories of Prof Ron Laskey (Zoology) and Prof Nick Coleman (Pathology). Patent applications arising from their research were filed by Cancer Research Technology (CRT) and licensed to multiple diagnostic companies, including Becton Dickinson (BD). The BD ProEx^TM C reagent is in use internationally, including for the triage of cervical smears and biopsies showing `borderline' abnormalities (~2-6% of cervical smears in developed countries). Additional licensing deals have been negotiated for screening in a range of other cancers, including bladder, pancreas and prostate. The licences have generated in excess of £800K for CRT and the University to date.

Summary of the impact

Thousands of people across the world with a genetic predisposition (HNPCC) to bowel cancer, together with the population at large, have benefited from research on aspirin and dietary fibre undertaken at the University of Bristol since 1993. Clinical trials involving the Bristol group show that the incidence of bowel cancer has fallen in HNPCC patients who take aspirin. Moreover, aspirin use after diagnosis of bowel cancer has reduced colorectal cancer mortality. Furthermore, a high fibre diet also lowers the risk of bowel cancer. These studies led to national public health initiatives (such as the `five-a-day' campaign) that have been instrumental in increasing public awareness of the importance of aspirin and dietary fibre in reducing the risk of bowel cancer, and in establishing international guidelines on dietary advice.

Summary of the impact

Southampton research underpins the clinical development of a new class of anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies (mAb), such as anti-CD40, anti-CD27 and anti-CD20. The most advanced is a next generation, fully human drug, ofatumumab (commercialised by GlaxoSmithKline/Genmab; trade-name Arzerra) approved in Oct 2009 to treat advanced chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Its approval was based on a 42% response rate in patients who had failed current `best in class' treatment. Arzerra is now a multi-million dollar drug, launched in 26 countries (and growing) and is being used in 19 on-going clinical trials worldwide for diseases ranging from lymphoma to rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Southampton's work has inspired follow-on funding from government and industry in excess of £12m.

Summary of the impact

An antibody screening test for early detection of cancer was developed in the laboratories of Prof Nick Coleman (Pathology) and Prof Ron Laskey (Zoology; UoA5) and Patent applications arising from their research were filed by Cancer Research Technology (CRT) and licensed to multiple diagnostic companies, including Becton Dickinson (BD). The BD ProEx^TM C reagent is in use internationally, including for the triage of cervical smears and biopsies showing `borderline' abnormalities (~5-7% of cervical smears in developed countries). Additional licensing deals have been negotiated for screening in a range of other cancers, including bladder, pancreas and prostate. The licences have generated in excess of £800K for CRT and the University to date.

Summary of the impact

The provision of effective and sustainable healthcare is a major challenge for society. In the developed world escalating costs are placing a huge burden on finite resources; in the developing world, where financial resources are often extremely limited, providing affordable healthcare is an even greater problem. One innovative route to help alleviate these problems is through drug redeployment, whereby existing drugs are employed in new ways to tackle serious diseases. Combining their knowledge of haematological disease gained from their research over the past 20 years together with a drug redeployment strategy, researchers in the School of Biosciences have developed and trialled new interventions for two blood cell cancers, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL), based on the administration of a combination of the lipid lowering drug Bezalip (Bez) and the female contraceptive Provera (MPA). As a result:

• Definitive significant outcomes have been demonstrated in terms of halting disease progression and / or diminishing disease load in patients suffering from AML and BL.
• Successful drug redeployment, on the basis of efficacy, absence of toxicity and low cost of drugs has been achieved.
• This intervention has created the means to reduce childhood mortality and improve the length and quality of life in areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Summary of the impact

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer, with over 70% of cases presenting as non-muscle invasive bladder carcinomas (NMIBC). Research in the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford led to the evaluation of Apaziquone (EO9) in phase II clinical trials against high risk NMIBC in The Netherlands, and two multi-centre phase III clinical trials involving 106 centres across the USA, Canada and Europe. A total of 1,746 patients with low or high risk NMIBC received EO9 and significant reductions in the rates of recurrence at two years have been reported. Our research has impacted upon the health and welfare of patients with NMIBC.

Summary of the impact

In 2003, researchers at the University of Dundee identified the tumour suppressor LKB1 as a critical upstream activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which provided the first link between AMPK and cancer. Metformin, the front-line therapy for type-2 diabetes, was already known to exert its beneficial effects through AMPK. An interdisciplinary collaboration at the University examined the link between metformin and cancer, and reported in 2005 that diabetics taking metformin had a reduced incidence of cancer. The impact has been clinical trials worldwide testing the benefit of metformin for cancer treatment, and development of therapeutics by pharmaceutical companies targeting this pathway.

Summary of the impact

Research conducted at the University of Bristol between 1994 and 2013 has led to major commercial impact through industry investment in cancer therapies that target a family of transporter proteins (MCTs) identified and characterised by Professor Halestrap and his colleagues. Halestrap has worked directly with AstraZeneca, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, to integrate the Bristol-based research into their own research programme to elucidate the mode of action of a group of novel immunosuppressive agents that target MCT1. Subsequent ongoing collaborations have underpinned AstraZeneca's development of these drugs for cancer chemotherapy, with clinical trials of their compound AZD3965 underway, as well as investment in a new cancer drug discovery programme targeting the MCTs.