Southampton joins major UK investment in brain tumour research

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is part of a new, UK‑wide partnership to speed up the development of better treatments for brain tumours.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced £13.7 million to launch the Brain Tumour Research Consortium.

Brain tumours are among the hardest cancers to treat. The new consortium will help researchers:

• understand the disease better

• test new innovative treatments earlier

• make trials available to more adults and children closer to home

The consortium will also support the development of the next generation of leaders in brain tumour research.

Advancing brain tumour research

The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium brings together 48 hospitals, universities, cancer centres and charities, along with patients. It is led by experts in London and Cambridge.

Working together, they will develop and enhance innovative clinical trials. These will focus on new and emerging treatments through precision medicine. These are therapies tailored to certain individuals' tumours.

In future, they hope to expand into new areas such as radiotherapy techniques, and gene and immunotherapies. These modify a person’s DNA and immune system respectively to tackle cancer.

This will create stronger evidence to support future NHS access if treatments prove safe and effective and improve health outcomes.

‘Improving survival and quality of life’

UHS Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Sean Main is part of the consortium’s Precision Medicine arm. Dr Main is supported by the UHS Readers Leaders Programme.

Paul Grundy, UHS Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Neurosurgeon, said:

“We’re delighted that Southampton is part of this national effort. By working with partners across the UK, we aim to bring more cutting‑edge trials to our patients, test promising treatments earlier, and learn faster from real‑world care. My hope is that this investment will help us improve survival and quality of life.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, and NIHR CEO, said:

“Brain tumours are one of the most difficult cancers to treat with thousands of people diagnosed each year. This new funding aims to shift the dial in brain tumour research, accelerating the UK towards more life-changing treatments for adults and children with this deadly disease.”