The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) together with Cancer Research UK have pledged a funding of £45 million towards brain cancer research in the United Kingdom.
An estimated 11,400 individuals are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the United Kingdom each year, and only 14% of them are expected to survive beyond 10 years. According to Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, treatment of brain tumours remains a challenge and the survival rates have barely improved in the last 3 decades.
The DHSC will invest an estimated £20 million in funding through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) over the period of 5 years. Research teams are expected to present new proposals in April for accessing the NIHR funding.
Additionally, Cancer Research UK will pump another £25 million into research on brain tumours during the next 5 years, which is separate from the £13 million that goes annually for research and development of cancer therapies. 2 new specialised centres, one based at the University of Cambridge and other at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, will be funded by the Cancer Research UK to develop novel therapies for brain tumours in children.
The funding was announced after publication of the report of the task and finish working group on brain tumour research, led by government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Chris Whitty.
