Donor Thank You 2020
Thank you to Newcastle University donors and friends for supporting our students, research projects and much more in recent months Thank you to Newcastle University donors and friends for supporting our students, research projects and much more in recent months
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITYChildhood Cancer ResearchA recent breakthrough has enabled experts to predict relapse in acommon childhood cancer and means doctors can tailor treatment foreach individual child and improve prognosis.Our research has revealed that experts can identify the time, natureand outcome of medulloblastoma relapse from the biology of thedisease at diagnosis and the initial therapy received. 247 youngpatients around the globe with relapsed medulloblastoma weremonitored as part of the study.Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour inchildren and relapse following initial treatment – surgery, radiotherapyand chemotherapy - has a grave prognosis. Relapse occurs inaround 30% of children, usually within five years of diagnosis.The study shows that different biological and treatment groups withinthe disease relapse at different times and with different patterns ofspread throughout the body. This research identifies which patients aremost at risk of continuing problems with the disease and provides theability to fine-tune treatment and surveillance to improve the child’sprognosis.‘Our research is an exciting development for the treatment of patients and itwill help improve clinical outcomes. Our findings also mean that we cannow predict the course of the disease following a relapse and tailortreatments, enabling us to improve how we manage these patients throughmore personalised approaches based on understanding their individualdisease. The funding we receive from our generous donors is vital tosupporting our research, which is having real-world impact on the lives ofchildren and their families."Professor Steven CliffordDirector, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer05
THANK YOUONE Planet FundThanks to contributions from over 60 donors, three research projectshave been funded. These projects cover subjects as diverse as researchinto the North East coastal community transition from industrial heritageto a low carbon future, to looking at invasive lobster species in UKwaters, reflecting Newcastle’s multi-disciplinary and diverse approachto tackling today's global climate challenges.The ONE Planet Fund has alsosupported both Dr Andrea Wilkinson(right, top) and Dr Simone Mordue(right, bottom) as Research Associatesin UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) and Small Island DevelopingStates at the University.Since joining Newcastle University theyhave put in place strategic collaborationsand partnerships to raise our profile,highlight our innovation in sustainabilityand secure funding bids for researchprojects that will have measurable, realworldimpact for the most climatevulnerablepopulaces.Andrea was recently successful in securing support from an alumnusfor a pilot project that aims to inspire, empower and equip 30 childrenin hands-on climate change knowledge and skills.With six papers in review, Andrea and Simone are hoping todisseminate their academic research and scholarship in addressingintensifying global changes. Andrea has a further three published papers,as well as being a Peer Reviewer for the Journal ‘Progress in HumanGeography’. She is also a Guest Lecturer, teaching on "Introduction toInternational Development" and "Globalisation and Development".06
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NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
Childhood Cancer Research
A recent breakthrough has enabled experts to predict relapse in a
common childhood cancer and means doctors can tailor treatment for
each individual child and improve prognosis.
Our research has revealed that experts can identify the time, nature
and outcome of medulloblastoma relapse from the biology of the
disease at diagnosis and the initial therapy received. 247 young
patients around the globe with relapsed medulloblastoma were
monitored as part of the study.
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in
children and relapse following initial treatment – surgery, radiotherapy
and chemotherapy - has a grave prognosis. Relapse occurs in
around 30% of children, usually within five years of diagnosis.
The study shows that different biological and treatment groups within
the disease relapse at different times and with different patterns of
spread throughout the body. This research identifies which patients are
most at risk of continuing problems with the disease and provides the
ability to fine-tune treatment and surveillance to improve the child’s
prognosis.
‘Our research is an exciting development for the treatment of patients and it
will help improve clinical outcomes. Our findings also mean that we can
now predict the course of the disease following a relapse and tailor
treatments, enabling us to improve how we manage these patients through
more personalised approaches based on understanding their individual
disease. The funding we receive from our generous donors is vital to
supporting our research, which is having real-world impact on the lives of
children and their families."
Professor Steven Clifford
Director, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer
05
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