A collection of samples and anonymised clinical data to support cutting-edge brain cancer research

A2002546

Brain tumours, though rare, can have devasting consequences for patients and their families, especially for the most common brain cancer where life expectancy is just 14 months. Researching rare diseases poses challenges due to the limited number of patients and samples, yet these resources are crucial for scientists to conduct experiments and test hypotheses beyond test tubes, ensuring their findings are clinically relevant.

In response to this need, researchers and clinicians in Leeds established the Leeds Neuropathology Research Tissue Bank in October 2021, with approval to collect samples and anonymised clinical data for cutting-edge research. This tissue bank serves as a vital tool for brain cancer scientists, enabling continuous experimentation and learning until breakthroughs are achieved. Since its inception, the tissue bank has supported over 14 research projects and secured £2.1m in research funding aimed at curing brain cancer.

Leeds Hospitals Charity has now committed to funding the tissue bank for an additional three years, covering the costs of ongoing sample and data collection and the necessary administration for distribution in advanced research. The plan includes expanding the collection and establishing a self-sustaining model for the future.

Lead Researcher	Dr Lucy Stead Associate Professor
Co-Researchers	Prof Susan Short Professor of Neuro-Oncology Dr Steven Pollock Tissue Bank Manager
Host Organisation/CSU	Oncology University of Leeds
Grant Amount	£166,069.11
Start Date	01/03/2024
Estimated Duration	40 months
Impact Areas	Innovation & Health Technologies Rare Diseases
Tags/key notes	Cancer and Neoplasms