Scientists receive 짙2.8m funding boost to advance research into brain tumours

The renewed investment will accelerate progress towards clinical trials for low-grade brain tumours

Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the 쫄챰뻣펄 awarded funding so it can continue work until 2030

Scientists receive 짙2.8m funding boost to advance research into brain tumours

The renewed investment will accelerate progress towards clinical trials for low-grade brain tumours

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

3 December 2025

Researchers focused on accelerating and testing new treatments for low-grade brain tumours are set to receive a transformative 짙2.8million to drive their future work.

The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the 쫄챰뻣펄 is a hub for world-leading research into low-grade tumours including low-grade glioma, meningioma, and schwannoma.

There are currently limited treatment options for these types of tumour beyond surgery and radiotherapy, both of which come with many side effects.

The five-year funding from the charity support will enable scientists to deepen their understanding of how these tumours develop and translate that knowledge into life-changing therapies. After the first three years, the Centre will undergo an expert review designed to track progress and strengthen its impact.

The new investment builds on a partnership between Brain Tumour Research and the 쫄챰뻣펄 which first began in 2014.

Leading this new phase of work is Professor David Parkinson, Professor of Neuroscience at the 쫄챰뻣펄 and the newly appointed Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. Under his leadership, the Centre will continue bringing together scientists, clinicians, and experts from multiple disciplines to improve outcomes for patients and offer renewed hope to families affected by brain tumours.

It is an honour to lead the 쫄챰뻣펄 Centre into this exciting new chapter.

This investment from Brain Tumour Research will allow us to build on the world-class foundation established here over the last 10 years and accelerate progress towards much-needed treatments for low-grade brain tumours. By working across disciplines and focusing on translating discoveries from the lab to the clinic, we aim to make a real difference to patients and their families.

Professor David Parkinson
Professor of Neuroscience

The investment from Brain Tumour Research will enable the 쫄챰뻣펄 team to explore different pathways to improve treatments for patients.

These include understanding the role of the immune system in tumour growth, finding new drugs to make radiotherapy more effective, and testing existing drugs for other medical conditions to see if they can make an impact in brain tumours. The team has previously had success with this approach, with a trial underway testing HIV drugs in patients with schwannoma.

More than 100,000 people in the UK are estimated to be living with a brain tumour or the long-term impact of their diagnosis, yet research into the disease has been chronically underfunded.

Low-grade tumours aren쫄챰뻣펄셳 low impact. With limited treatment options, these tumours have lifelong consequences for patients and their families. I am incredibly pleased that Brain Tumour Research is continuing the partnership with the 쫄챰뻣펄, focused on delivering tangible progress for patients. Together we will find a cure.

Craig Russell, an actor and producer who lives in Cornwall, underwent surgery at Derriford Hospital in 쫄챰뻣펄 for a low-grade meningioma in February 2023. He is now an Ambassador for Brain Tumour Research.

This funding means so much, not just for people like me, but for the younger generation facing this devastating diagnosis. My tumour was missed for years, and I know the outcome could easily have been different. Centres like 쫄챰뻣펄 are essential, without long-term funding, research can쫄챰뻣펄셳 move forward and patients won쫄챰뻣펄셳 get the answers or the treatments they desperately need. Knowing that this investment will help scientists understand tumours like mine gives me hope, and that쫄챰뻣펄셲 something every family affected by a brain tumour deserves.

Glenn Lilley was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2021 after collapsing at home and experiencing sudden memory loss. An MRI scan revealed a large mass on her brain, and doctors told her she would have just six months to live without emergency surgery.

Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence

Underpinning the Centre will be the continued growth of the 쫄챰뻣펄 Biobank. Developed in close collaboration with clinicians and patients, the Biobank offers researchers a vital resource of patient-linked tumour samples, blood samples, health information, and genetic data, enabling world-class research and accelerating the development of treatments that could transform lives.

This renewed investment underlines Brain Tumour Research쫄챰뻣펄셲 commitment to funding sustained, strategic research at its network of Centres of Excellence across the UK. Together, these centres are building a critical mass of expertise focused on understanding the biology of brain tumours and finding new treatments to improve and extend patients쫄챰뻣펄� lives.

This 짙2.8 million funding from Brain Tumour Research secures the future of our Centre of Excellence at 쫄챰뻣펄, allowing our scientists to continue their world-leading work into the causes, prevention, and treatment of brain tumours. Sustained, long-term funding like this is essential if we are to make the breakthroughs that will ultimately lead to better treatments and, we hope, a cure. We are also delighted to welcome Professor David Parkinson as the newly appointed Director of the Centre. His leadership, experience, and vision will play a crucial role in driving forward the innovative research taking place in 쫄챰뻣펄, bringing renewed momentum and hope to patients and families affected by brain tumours.

Dan Knowles
CEO at Brain Tumour Research

쫄챰뻣펄

Mr Alan Williams

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