The Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMC) network which runs UK clinical studies of the newest cancer treatments, has been awarded a second wave of £35 m funding for the next five years.
The network of 18 UK centres is jointly funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in England and the Departments of Health in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It has already supported more than 600 early phase cancer studies across all major cancer types. Patients taking part in these early trials cannot usually be helped by existing treatments. The ECMC network provides new treatment options and underpins the development of cancer therapies, which may help many patients in the future. The international panel of experts that reviewed the ECMC this year reported that the network is fast becoming internationally renowned, with other countries now looking to adopt similar models.
