Southampton
Developing new treatments for lymphoma
The Cancer Research UK Medical Oncology Unit carries out a wide range of work, but is particularly renowned for its research into the treatment of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. One important area of research relates to immunotherapy — an approach that involves harnessing the power of the immune system to treat cancer. Our immune system is a very powerful weapon for fighting infection and it has long been a goal of cancer researchers to use this power to destroy cancer cells
Scientists at the Unit are developing cancer vaccines that will help the immune system to recognise cancer cells and remove them from the body. Dr Christian Ottensmeier is testing some of these DNA vaccines in clinical trials to see if they can help treat people with lymphoma or solid tumours.
Improving treatment for children's cancer
Childhood cancer is quite rare, affecting around 1 in 500 children under the age of 15 in Britain. The small numbers of patients, particularly those with rare childhood cancers, mean that collaborative clinical trials are essential if treatment is to rapidly improve.
We fund the clinical trials work of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG). The group co-ordinates the care of virtually all the UK’s children with cancer, ensuring they receive the most up-to-date treatments. Children involved in clinical trials tend to do better and the CCLG has greatly improved recruitment in recent years. The CCLG runs trials at 21 paediatric centres throughout the British Isles, including the Southampton General Hospital.
Find more of our research in southwest England.
