Closer to a Cure - 15 Years of Impact

Over the past 15 years, Brain Tumour Research has been at the forefront of pioneering research, driving progress towards finding a cure for brain tumours. Our dedicated researchers, supported by your generous contributions, have made significant strides in understanding and treating this devastating disease.

This report highlights the remarkable achievements and breakthroughs made possible through our Centres of Excellence and Funded Initiatives. From developing personalised treatments for glioblastoma patients to repurposing existing medications for new therapies, our research will transform lives and offers hope to countless families affected by brain tumours.

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Our Patron Sarah Beeny introduces Closer to a Cure – 15 Years of Impact celebrating game-changing advances.

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Research breakthrough highlights from our Centres of Excellence

  • Rethinking neurosurgery with real-time imaging  

    In a world first, researchers at our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London have pioneered a new approach that compares healthy and glioblastoma cells from the same patient. This method aims to unlock valuable information which, in the future, could enable clinicians to provide bespoke, patient-matched predictions of effective treatment options for brain tumour patients.

  • Repurposing HIV medication to treatment low-grade brain tumours  

    Scientists at the University of Plymouth's Centre of Excellence have pioneered the use of HIV anti-retroviral medications as a non-invasive treatment for NF2-related schwannoma and meningioma tumours. Their research revealed that these tumours, caused by NF2 gene mutations, contain a reactivated sequence of ancient viral DNA. This groundbreaking discovery led to the launch of the early phase clinical trial, RETREAT, in 2024.

  • Making existing therapies more effective  

    Research taking place at our Imperial Centre of Excellence has provided the scientific evidence that depleting the body’s blood concentration of an essential amino acid called arginine is a promising therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma patients. They have demonstrated that it can enhance the effectiveness of current treatments such as radiotherapy, leading to arginine deprivation being included in multiple early-phase clinical trials.

  • Accelerating the launch of clinical trials for brain tumour patients 

    In 2024, Brain Tumour Research partnered with Beatson Cancer Charity to fund the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Launched in 2025, the Scottish Centre addresses the challenge of moving laboratory discoveries into clinical testing by focusing on drug discovery and developing better disease models. It will provide the essential preclinical data needed to attract investment for clinical trials.

  • Rethinking neurosurgery with real-time imaging  

    Our Centre of Excellence at Imperial College London, including Charing Cross Hospital, is revolutionising neurosurgery with cutting-edge imaging techniques. They have demonstrated that techniques such as multispectral imaging, intraoperative ultrasound, and Raman spectroscopy, can help surgeons distinguish between tumour and normal brain tissue with greater precision reducing the risk of damaging healthy tissue and improving tumour removal.