A two-year Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) research project at The University of Manchester has been completed, marking an important milestone in work to improve proton beam therapy for children with cancer.
This milestone has been made possible thanks to the generosity of CCRF supporters, whose donations helped fund the two-year proton beam research project at The University of Manchester.
The project, funded by CCRF at a cost of £140,000, explored how proton beam therapy could be made more effective for children with cancer. Its findings are now helping researchers investigate new ways to make treatment more precise, personalised and effective.
We are especially grateful to Dr Amy Chadwick and Dr Emma Biglin, whose leadership has advanced understanding of proton beam therapy and opened new possibilities for future treatments.
What the project found
The project studied how children’s sarcoma cells respond to proton beam therapy, including in low-oxygen conditions that can make treatment less effective. Early findings suggest this low-oxygen environment can reduce the impact of treatment, and researchers are now exploring drug combinations that could improve outcomes. The long-term aim is to support more personalised, precise and effective proton therapy for children.
In a short video summary, Dr Amy Chadwick explains the project’s success and what the findings could mean for future research:
Why this matters
Dr Gail Horan, Chair of the CCRF Scientific Advisory Board, praised the team for completing the project objectives and creating a strong foundation for future research:
“This provides a strong starting point for exploring new drug treatments alongside proton therapy in children’s sarcoma. It is wonderful to see CCRF funds put to such rewarding use for children’s cancer research.”
Continuing the work
CCRF thanks all supporters whose generosity makes vital children’s cancer research possible, with special recognition to Exchange Chambers, whose fundraising contributed more than £50,000 towards this project.
To help fund future children’s cancer research, supporters can continue to donate to CCRF and support the scientists working to improve treatment for children with cancer.
