We have made brain tumours a research priority in recognition of the urgent need for new treatments.
More than 12,000 people face the devastating diagnosis of a brain tumour every year in the UK, 250 every week. The outlook for many people is poor.
Theo, pictured, was diagnosed with the aggressive brain tumour glioblastoma in 2022. The location of the tumour meant that it was inoperable and there was very little that could be done. He died just five months later, at the age of 50.
A talented scientist, Theo had enjoyed a successful career working for a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. He chaired a charity committee for many years, raising tens of thousands of pounds for both local and national charities.
As Theo was so passionate about scientific research, and a charity champion, his sister, Mary-Antonia, decided to fundraise for Brain Research UK in memory of her ‘super intelligent, funny, warm-hearted brother’. She ran the London Marathon as part of Team #BrainResearch in 2023 and again in 2024, raising almost £5,000 in his memory.
Survival rates vary widely between different types of brain tumour. Many low-grade tumours have a good prognosis, whereas a number of high-grade tumours have few, if any, medium- to long-term survivors. Glioblastoma kills three quarters of patients within a year of diagnosis.
Just as important as the length of survival, however, is the quality of survival. The toll on those who survive, or are living with, brain tumours is enormous. A tumour in the brain can cause huge, irreversible damage - particularly in children, whose brains are still developing. And treatment that may be life-saving can cause devastating collateral damage. Survivors must carry the burden of the resulting disabilities and health problems through the rest of their lives.
We want to improve both the rate of survival and the quality of survival for patients with brain tumours.
We made research into brain tumours one of our top research priorities in 2016, to address the high level of patient need – the high level of mortality and the debilitating consequences for many of those who survive.
Since then, we have awarded funding of more than £4.5 million for brain tumour research. These funds are accelerating research – advancing knowledge and taking us closer to treatments that are more effective and less damaging.
One of our most recently funded projects is being led by neurosurgeon Harry Bulstrode at the University of Cambridge, who is trying to harness the power of immunotherapy to treat glioblastoma.
Whilst immunotherapy approaches have revolutionised outcomes in some cancers, glioblastoma has so far proved resistant and Dr Bulstrode wants to change this. He is focusing on a type of immune cell called a tumour-associated macrophage, TAM, which is found in large numbers in glioblastoma and has been linked to treatment resistance. These cells can be harvested during surgery and he is now applying techniques to genetically modify them to help eradicate the tumour. This could provide a much-needed advance in the treatment of glioblastoma.
Find out more about Dr Bulstrode's research
We are making real progress but each year we receive many more research proposals than we can afford to fund. With more funds, we could do so much more.
There are many ways in which you can support our work – from making a donation, to nominating us for support from your company, or remembering us in your Will.
Whatever you do, your support will help us to invest in more research to help those affected by brain tumours and other neurological conditions to live better, longer.
We are also looking for people who are willing to share their stories –to help demonstrate the impact of brain tumours and emphasise the need for more research. If you could help in this way, please get in touch.
Thank you.
