Sarcoma UK is proud to announce funding for seven cutting-edge research projects to understand sarcoma better and develop new and better treatments.
These exciting projects, which are taking place across the UK, will take Sarcoma UK’s total research commitment for the year 2022-23 to a staggering £1.2 million – smashing our £1 million target for the first time.
The scientists involved will tackle some of the biggest questions in sarcoma research, from understanding drug resistance, to exploring the characteristics of different types of cells, and identifying whether drugs will be effective.
Among this year’s crop of projects are two dedicated to understanding ultra-rare sarcoma subtypes. Led by Dr Nischalan Pillay, one project builds on a dedicated programme of research on clear cell sarcoma at University College London. In this PhD studentship project, the team will work with scientists from the University of Oxford, using cutting edge genomics technology to identify particular clear cell sarcoma cells which could be targeted with drugs. They will then use these insights to develop drugs which could target these specific cells.
Another project announced today is being fully-funded through a donation from the Sarah Burkeman Trust. It will see a research team study tissue from people with gynaecological sarcoma, to define potential drug targets, and if it is possible to determine those people at a higher risk of relapse or metastasis. The team, led by Dr Paul Huang at the Institute of Cancer Research, hope that in the long term, this project will result in new treatments for gynaecological sarcoma patients if successful.
After a highly competitive round, the projects were selected for funding after a rigorous review process, carried out both by expert scientists and clinicians, as well as people affected by sarcoma.
Dr Sorrel Bickley, Director of Research, Policy and Support at Sarcoma UK, said:
We are over the moon to be funding these new research projects, taking our all-time research commitment to over £6.3 million. These projects will drive forward our understanding of sarcoma, from the most common to the rarest subtypes, and hopefully identify new ways of treating these cancers. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has raised funds for Sarcoma UK – this would not be happening without your support and generous donations.
The new projects are:
Could the environment around GIST cells be key to successful treatment? led by Dr Zoe Walters at the University of Southampton
Exploring the features of gynaecological sarcomas to lead us to new treatments, led by Dr Paul Huang at the Institute of Cancer Research
Chest X-Rays or CT scans? An international trial to evaluate the best follow-up for soft tissue sarcoma (SAFETY trial), led by Mr Kenny Rankin at Newcastle Upon Tyne University Hospitals
Tackling drug resistance in leiomyosarcoma, led by Professor Robin Jones at the Royal Marsden Hospital
Testing new drugs and pinpointing the markers of their effectiveness in leiomyosarcoma, led by Professor Valerie Brunton at the University of Edinburgh
Identifying the weakest cells and designing new drugs for clear cell sarcoma, led by Dr Nischalan Pillay at University College London
Understanding the complexity of epithelioid sarcoma, led by Professor Adrienne Flanagan at University College London
