The work supported by KidsCan covers areas of research involved in understanding how anticancer drugs work with a view to developing new and improved treatments. Many of our studies are supported by research grants from KidsCan. The research facilities provided by KidsCan and the University of Salford have also been invaluable in other cancer-related projects that have been supported by external funding bodies.

Our studies into the factors that determine response to treatment in children with leukaemia is concluding and the data will be analysed in due course. This study was funded by KidsCan, the Medical Research Council and was based on a pump priming grant from Friends of Rosie.   A research studentship supported by the University of Salford, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and by KidsCan, has been looking at how manipulation of the amino acid methionine affects the proliferation of cancer cells. It was found that depletion of methionine made the cancer cells more resistant to the clinically used anticancer drugs cisplatinum and temozolamide indicating that modulation of methionine may be damaging when used in combination with these drugs. A potentially important finding was that combinations of the drugs methotrexate and temozolamide demonstrated synergistic effects when used in combination.

KidsCan and the University of Salford have funded a study that has identified novel molecules that can restore communication between cancer cells and the normal cells that surround them. This study has been undertaken in collaboration with Drs Lynn and Ian Hampson at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. The way this molecule works is new and we are currently considering patent protection that, if the drug is proved to be a successful treatment for cancer, would generate vital research money for the charity.  

The KidsCan laboratories are also involved in national and international studies on new cancer treatments as part of the joint European Organisation for Research in the Treatment of Cancer –National Cancer Institute (USA) initiative.