Lung cancer research
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Each year around 39,500 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK, and the disease claims more than 34,000 lives.
Cancer Research UK is a major supporter of lung cancer research in the UK. We fund research at all levels, from uncovering the molecular causes of the disease to developing new treatments and improving patients’ quality of life.
We are also heavily involved in raising public awareness of lung cancer and the dangers of smoking, particularly through our national anti-smoking campaigns. Read more about our impact on lung cancer over the years.
You can find out more about lung cancer on our CancerHelp UK website, or visit MyProjects to donate directly to our research into the disease.
Below are some of the highlights of our lung cancer research portfolio, and you can find out more in our lung cancer briefsheet.
On this page
Cancer genes
Prof Tim Eisen
Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital
University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Finding new ways to prevent and treat cancer
Professor Tim Eisen, based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, is one of the leading cancer doctors in the UK. He oversees a broad spectrum of research ranging from work on cancer genetics through to studies in the clinic. As Director of the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre, he co-ordinates many early and late-stage clinical trials testing new treatments for different types of cancer. Much of his work focuses on kidney cancer, lung cancer and melanoma.
Cancer spread (metastasis)
Dr Fergus Macbeth
Velindre Hospital
Velindre NHS Trust, Cardiff
Reducing blood clots in lung cancer patients
Dr Fergus Macbeth is an expert in lung cancer research and works at the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. He is co-ordinating a clinical trial called FRAGMATIC, investigating whether the blood thinning drug Dalteparin (also called Fragmin) can reduce the number of blood clots in people with lung cancer. Blood clots are common in people with the disease and can also be a side effect of treatment. They can be very serious if they start to move through the body so it is important to find ways of preventing them.
Chemotherapy
Prof Michael Seckl
Department of Medical Oncology
Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, London
Understanding and improving drug resistance in lung cancer patients
World-class scientist Professor Michael Seckl works at the Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, part of Imperial College London. He is leading a clinical trial called LungStar, for people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). He is also investigating how some lung cancers become resistant to chemotherapy. Professor Seckl co-ordinates lab studies into the disease and uses his findings to improve treatments for patients.
Clinical trials
Dr Dean Fennell
Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology
The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast
Overcoming drug resistance in lung cancer treatment
Dr Dean Fennell is a leading lung cancer specialist. He works in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at the Queen's University of Belfast and holds a Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship. As well as working as a consultant he also co-ordinates laboratory studies into non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr Fennell uses the discoveries he makes in the lab to improve treatment for people with this disease.
Dr Fergus Macbeth
Velindre Hospital
Velindre NHS Trust, Cardiff
Reducing blood clots in lung cancer patients
Dr Fergus Macbeth is an expert in lung cancer research and works at the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. He is co-ordinating a clinical trial called FRAGMATIC, investigating whether the blood thinning drug Dalteparin (also called Fragmin) can reduce the number of blood clots in people with lung cancer. Blood clots are common in people with the disease and can also be a side effect of treatment. They can be very serious if they start to move through the body so it is important to find ways of preventing them.
Dr Paula Mulvenna
Northern Centre for Cancer Care
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A clinical trial for lung cancer that has spread to the brain
Dr Paula Mulvenna is a consultant clinical oncologist who specialises in improving the quality of life for people who have cancer that cannot be cured. She is based at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Mulvenna is co-ordinating a unique national clinical trial called Quartz, funded by Cancer Research UK. This trial is for people with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain.
Drug resistance
Dr Dean Fennell
Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology
The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast
Overcoming drug resistance in lung cancer treatment
Dr Dean Fennell is a leading lung cancer specialist. He works in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at the Queen's University of Belfast and holds a Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship. As well as working as a consultant he also co-ordinates laboratory studies into non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr Fennell uses the discoveries he makes in the lab to improve treatment for people with this disease.
Prof Michael Seckl
Department of Medical Oncology
Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, London
Understanding and improving drug resistance in lung cancer patients
World-class scientist Professor Michael Seckl works at the Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, part of Imperial College London. He is leading a clinical trial called LungStar, for people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). He is also investigating how some lung cancers become resistant to chemotherapy. Professor Seckl co-ordinates lab studies into the disease and uses his findings to improve treatments for patients.
Environment and pollution
Prof David Phillips
Section of Molecular Carcinogenesis
The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton
Investigating cancer-causing molecules in our environment
Professor David Phillips and his team are investigating how certain chemicals in our environment influence cancer development. They are involved in several national and international collaborations and are renowned in this field. Their research will increase our understanding of how cancer develops, and will lead to better ways of preventing several cancers, including breast and lung cancer.
Patient care research
Dr Paula Mulvenna
Northern Centre for Cancer Care
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A clinical trial for lung cancer that has spread to the brain
Dr Paula Mulvenna is a consultant clinical oncologist who specialises in improving the quality of life for people who have cancer that cannot be cured. She is based at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Mulvenna is co-ordinating a unique national clinical trial called Quartz, funded by Cancer Research UK. This trial is for people with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain.
Preventing cancer
Prof Gerard Hastings
Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Institute for Social Marketing
University of Stirling, Stirling
Finding new ways to reduce smoking rates
Professor Gerard Hastings is the Director of the Institute for Social Marketing and the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research. His team is looking into the ways the tobacco industry encourages people to smoke and also how other social pressures affect smoking habits.
Prof Robert West
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University College London, London
Helping people to quit smoking
Professor Robert West is Director of Tobacco Studies at the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre. He analyses smoking trends in the population to find out how many people smoke and how many are giving up. Smoking is a major cause of many different types of cancer, including lung cancer and oesophageal cancer. Professor West's research could have a dramatic impact on the number of cancer cases in the future and help to save even more lives.
Radiotherapy
Dr Paula Mulvenna
Northern Centre for Cancer Care
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A clinical trial for lung cancer that has spread to the brain
Dr Paula Mulvenna is a consultant clinical oncologist who specialises in improving the quality of life for people who have cancer that cannot be cured. She is based at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Mulvenna is co-ordinating a unique national clinical trial called Quartz, funded by Cancer Research UK. This trial is for people with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain.
Smoking
Prof Gerard Hastings
Centre for Tobacco Control Research and Institute for Social Marketing
University of Stirling, Stirling
Finding new ways to reduce smoking rates
Professor Gerard Hastings is the Director of the Institute for Social Marketing and the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research. His team is looking into the ways the tobacco industry encourages people to smoke and also how other social pressures affect smoking habits.
Professor Richard Peto
Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit
University of Oxford, Oxford
Studying smoking and cancer, and improving clinical trials
Eminent cancer researcher Sir Richard Peto is co-director of the Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit in Oxford. He is a leading figure in both the prevention and treatment of cancer, and helped to run a pioneering 50-year long study that further established the links between smoking and cancer.
Prof Robert West
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University College London, London
Helping people to quit smoking
Professor Robert West is Director of Tobacco Studies at the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre. He analyses smoking trends in the population to find out how many people smoke and how many are giving up. Smoking is a major cause of many different types of cancer, including lung cancer and oesophageal cancer. Professor West's research could have a dramatic impact on the number of cancer cases in the future and help to save even more lives.
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