A GROUNDBREAKING research centre which will put the North-East at the forefront of cancer research is launched by a range of charities today.

The Newcastle Centre for Cancer Research, based at Newcastle University, will be jointly funded by Cancer Research UK, Leukaemia Research and North of England Children’s Cancer Research.

The centre will bring together leading UK researchers and help set the pace for national and international progress in diagnosing and treating the whole spectrum of cancers, including cancer of the blood in adults and children.

It will concentrate on understanding the basic biology of how and why cancers develop, so new drugs can be produced.

Another priority will be to personalise medicine, tailoring treatments to individual needs.

The centre, based at the university’s Northern Institute for Cancer Research, is one of 20 centres Cancer Research UK plans to launch around the country.

Professor Herbie Newell, professor of cancer therapeutics at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, said: “It really is the greatest day for cancer research in the North- East.

“We are bringing together all of the partners and funders for the first time with the university and NHS trust, where the research is done.

“The most important thing is patients and their carers will take part in our cancer research programme – and together we can beat cancer.”

He added: “It is, unfortunately, a common disease.

One in three people in the North-East will develop cancer – that means 13,000 each year.” Prof Newell said collaboration would be the key to the success of the centre, which will make it easier for researchers to work alongside doctors treating patients.

Leukaemia Research chief executive Cathy Gilman said: “Leukaemia Research has nearly £4m invested in research here in Newcastle.

“Closer collaboration between scientists at the Newcastle Centre for Cancer Research will mean we can make quicker progress towards new drugs and more personalised treatments for patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma in the North-East and the rest of the UK.”

Cancer Research UK chief executive Harpal Kumar said: “Funding these centres of excellence is one of the charity’s priorities and will enable us to work towards the goals we have set to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients across all types of cancer.

“We are now committing £5.5m every year towards research at the Newcastle centre.”