An alliance which brings together a number of brain tumour research centres in the south of England has today been launched at the University of Portsmouth.

The South of England Brain Tumour Alliance (SEBTA) draws together seven neuro-oncology centres spread across universities and hospitals involved in brain tumour diagnosis, therapy and research.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by member organisations to launch the Alliance at an event attended by Sheila Hancock, Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth and patron of the brain tumour charity, Ali's Dream.

The establishment of the new Alliance, led by Geoff Pilkington, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Neuro-oncology at the University of Portsmouth, will create a comprehensive and sustainable environment for continued growth of neuro-oncology research.

Current SEBTA members include Derriford Hospital and Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Plymouth, The Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals in Bristol, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital and King's College Hospital in London, Hurstwood Park Neurosciences Centre and Southampton General Hospital.

The Alliance will make effective use of scarce tissues and facilitate increased research both at basic science and translational levels, the level prior to clinical trials where research is tested on animal and non-animal models.

"Brain tumour research currently receives less than one per cent of the total funding for national cancer research so it is vital we work together to ensure that we make the progress that is possible," said Professor Pilkington.

"I am sure that through increased interaction between professionals we can increase our research effort with the net result of improved care pathways, quality of life and survival times for patients with all forms of central nervous system tumour."

SEBTA will shorten the time between laboratory work and benefits to patients – which currently can be up to 20 years - and facilitate a relationship with the drug companies and doctors to promote an integrated biologically-informed approach to treatment for the benefit of the patient.

It will move treatment away from a single treatment from a single pharmaceutical company towards a multiple approach where patients will be prescribed, over the course of their treatment, a variety of drugs, developed specifically to be most effective at different stages of the disease.

The initiation of SEBTA is also being supported by the following charities: Brain Tumour Research, Ali's Dream, Charlie's Challenge, Brain Tumour Research Campaign, Brainstrust and Hammer Out.

Source: University of Portsmouth