Duke of Kent learns about new research for treating childhood leukaemia

[Jennifer]

On Wednesday, the Duke of Kent paid a visit to the laboratories at the University College London, (UCL), to learn about an innovative research project. The cutting edge research is examining how to overcome resistence to the treatment methods in the most common form of leukaemia in children.

Bloodwise, a cancer charity, is funding the programme. The Duke of Kent is the royal patron of the charity. Bloodwise granted £1.6 million last year to fund the five-year project. Professor Tariq Enver, "a world-leading expert in the field of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia," (ALL) is leading the programme. The research team is specifically targeting genetic "faults and networks" which allow cancer to resist treatment. They hope to develop kinder treatment options than the current chemotherapy which are commonly offered to treat this illness.

UCL scientists are working in tandem with researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton. Approximately 400 children are diagnosed with ALL every year in the United Kingdom. Nine in ten now survive for five years after diagnosis. However, current chemotherapy treatments can take its toll on the body and can have long-term side effects such as infertility and a secondary cancer diagnosis. Treatment can last for up to three years, and if a child does receive another cancer diagnosis, it can be much harder to treat than the first.

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Duke of Kent learns about new research for treating childhood leukaemia – Royal Central