A conference to celebrate cancer research in our region – hosted by CCC – brought together experts from diagnostics, therapeutics and clinical research from across Cheshire and Merseyside to share the latest developments and explore partnership opportunities.
The annual Collaboration in Cancer Research Day was given a wider remit this year, with research-active staff from NHS hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions attending the event at The Spine, in Liverpool.
The one-day event began with opening remarks from CCC’s Director of Clinical Research Professor Tim Maughan before moving into discussions on novel diagnostics, including AI in radiology and pathology, wearable technology to detect cytokines, and the use of Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) imaging technology in the prognosis of oral lesions.
Speakers also explored emerging approaches in novel therapeutics, with presentations on immunosuppression and the tumour microenvironment, early phase trials, anti-cancer vaccines, CAR-T cell and TIL therapy, and next-generation immuno-oncology treatments such as bispecifics.
The afternoon session gave clinical fellows, radiotherapy specialists, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present short flash talks, covering subjects including frailty, late toxicities and patient impact, and research led by speech and language therapy teams.
Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research Operations, said: “It was a great event and a real opportunity to bring people together from different areas of cancer research and from across Merseyside and beyond. The breadth of topics covered showed the strength of work taking place in our region, from early diagnostics and artificial intelligence to new treatment approaches and patient-focused research.
“What made the day especially valuable was the sense of collaboration in the room. Researchers, clinicians and other colleagues were able to share ideas, learn from each other and identify opportunities to work together for the benefit of people affected by cancer.”
The day concluded with a panel discussion on novel diagnostics, novel therapeutics and collaborations followed by a keynote lecture on Papillon from CCC’s Prof Sun Myint and closing remarks from Prof Maughan.
The day was made possible thanks to our sponsors AstraZeneca, BeOne Medicines, Pfizer, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, MSD, Lilly UK, Gilead Sciences, Kite Pharma, Roche and Immunocore.
