Research that gives children with cancer new hope
We’re delighted to share some wonderful news from the charity.
A groundbreaking two-year research project, funded by CCRF with an investment of £140,000, has now been completed at the University of Manchester. The project focused on finding ways to make proton beam therapy – a highly targeted form of radiotherapy used to treat some childhood cancers – even more effective.
Led by researchers Dr Amy Chadwick and Dr Emma Biglin, the team studied why some cancer cells are less responsive to treatment than others. They discovered that areas within tumours with low oxygen levels can reduce the effectiveness of proton beam therapy. Their work is now helping to identify new drug combinations that could improve how well the treatment works.
While the science is complex, the goal is simple: to give more children the best possible chance of successful treatment while reducing the long-term side effects that can come with cancer therapy.
The completion of this project is an important milestone, but it is also the beginning of the next chapter. The findings have given researchers a strong foundation to continue developing more personalised treatments that could improve outcomes for children diagnosed with sarcoma and, potentially, other cancers in the future.
Projects like this are only possible because of the generosity of supporters and fundraisers. Every donation helps researchers ask new questions, test new ideas and move closer to kinder, more effective treatments for children.
We’re incredibly pleased to see the progress made through this research and are honoured to have supported Friends of Rosie over the years. Seeing a project like this reach such a positive conclusion is a reminder that, together, charities, researchers, supporters and families really can make a difference.
We congratulate everyone involved in this remarkable achievement and look forward to following the next stage of this important work.
