UHB researchers are at the heart of a pioneering initiative to demonstrate how genetic tests could be used within the NHS to help match cancer patients to the most appropriate treatment, while building a database of information for research into new targeted therapies.

Cancer Research UK’s Stratified Medicine Programme ultimately aims to establish a world-class NHS genetic testing service for cancer patients in the UK. This means, as and when new targeted treatments become available, doctors will have access to the tests they need to help them decide which drugs are best for their patients.

Three leading NHS genetic testing labs, including Birmingham’s West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory at Birmingham Women’s Hospital in collaboration with the Department of Cellular Pathology at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, will help to test tumour samples from 9,000 patients with six different tumour types: breast, bowel, lung, prostate, ovary and melanoma skin cancer.

With patients’ consent, DNA will be extracted from each sample and analysed for a range of genetic faults linked to cancer.

This information will be stored alongside other relevant clinical information to allow researchers to compare the success of different treatments in relation to specific faults within cancer cells.

So although the programme will not alter patients’ treatment at this stage, it’s hoped it could help scientists design better targeted treatments in the future.

Patients will be recruited at seven of Cancer Research UK’s existing Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres in Leeds, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and London, collectively covering more than 20 hospitals.

The other NHS genetic testing labs involved in the initiative are based at the Institute for Cancer Research in London and Cardiff All Wales Regional Genetics Centre.

Cancer Research UK, Astra Zeneca and Pfizer are funding the £5.5 million programme. The charity’s share is being funded through its Catalyst Club - a pioneering venture to raise £10 million to propel forward the use of personalised cancer treatment, including Cancer Research UK’s Stratified Medicine Programme.

The initiative is closely aligned with the government’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB)’s £6 million investment in the development of tests for analysing a tumour’s genetic profile and secure software that can link this information to relevant clinical information.

Professor Michael Griffiths, who will be leading the programme at Birmingham’s West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, said: “This exciting initiative is a vital step in making targeted treatments available to all cancer patients in the UK and we’re delighted to be involved. Birmingham has some of the best genetic testing facilities in the country and we are proud to be playing a part in ensuring all patients are matched with the treatments that will most likely be effective in treating their cancer.”

James Peach, director of Cancer Research UK’s Stratified Medicine Programme, said: “In the 10 years since the Human Genome Project was completed we’ve made huge progress in unravelling the genetic basis of cancer and understanding what drives it at a molecular level. We know that prescribing treatment according to the genetic basis of a tumour greatly improves the chances of successful treatment. And by hardwiring research into the day-to-day care of cancer patients, we can harness the power of the NHS to bring personalised medicine a step closer to reality.

“This programme marks the beginning of the journey, and there is much to be done before we can bring the benefits of personalised medicine to every cancer patient. But I’m confident that within the next few years we’ll see personalised medicine changing the face of cancer treatment and saving many more lives from cancer.”