Going the extra mile for cancer research.

The newsletter for Worldwide Cancer Research supportersPROGRESSWe’re making Issue 7 – 2015-2016

whatever it takes,wherever it takes us.

We always like to hear from supporters. Please get in touch if you would like to share your thoughts or want to find out about other ways you can support us.

For any questions about our cancer research, please contact our Science Communication Manager, Dr Lara Bennett, at: makingprogress@worldwidecancerresearch.org

For events and fundraising: events@worldwidecancerresearch.org

For all other enquiries please contact: enquiries@worldwidecancerresearch.org

Call: 01334 477 910

Visit: www.worldwidecancerresearch.org

Write to us at:WORLDWIDE CANCER RESEARCHMadras HouseSt AndrewsFifeKY16 9EH

All stats correct as of time of print.

Statistics quoted from CRUK CancerStats

WORLDWIDE CANCER RESEARCH is a charity registered in Scotland, No: 152991 Charity No: SC022918.

Can we help

Welcome.Welcome to your winter edition of Making Progress. We’ve been funding pioneering early-stage research worldwide for over 35 years. To show the impact our research has made over the years, the timeline on pages 10 and 11 showcases just some of the life-saving discoveries you have helped make happen.

This time of year is often when we remember family and friends lost to cancer. Our latest news and main feature focus on some of the more common cancers such as breast and prostate cancers.

Finally, whether your support for Worldwide Cancer Research is in the form of a regular donation, a gift in your Will or holding a cake sale at work, none of our research would be possible without you. We’ve therefore ended this issue with a look at some of our fantastic fundraisers who are putting themselves through personal challenges all in aid of cancer research.

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Solving a 50 year-old cancer mystery 3

Our World 4

The research we fund 6

Investing in pioneering prostate cancer research 7

The Greek debt crisis – a tragedy for cancer research? 8

Where our research has taken us 10

Thanks to all our fundraisers 12

Be part of the team 14

An interview with Jennifer Guy 15

In a region of Africa known as the “lymphoma belt”, children are ten times more likely to develop Burkitt’s lymphoma, a highly aggressive blood cancer that, if left untreated, can be fatal. The area is also plagued by high rates of malaria, and scientists have spent the last 50 years trying to understand how the two diseases are connected.

The link had remained a mystery until Dr Davide Robbiani, at The Rockefeller University in New York, USA, discovered how the immune system plays a role in the development of Burkitt’s lymphoma, one of the most common cancers in African children.

The parasite that causes malaria infects red blood cells and liver cells. Burkitt’s lymphoma starts off in infection-fighting white blood cells called B cells. So how could a malaria infection increase a child’s risk of developing this type of cancer?

Dr Robbiani discovered that the same enzyme that helps create antibodies to fight off the malaria parasite also causes DNA damage that can lead to Burkitt’s lymphoma.

His research was published in Cell, arguably the most prestigious life sciences

journal in the world, and research groups are now trying to understand exactly how the enzyme causes the DNA damage – information which could lead to new treatments. “If we could somehow limit this damage to cancer-causing genes without reducing the infection-fighting powers of B cells, that could be very useful indeed,” said Dr Robbiani.

He told us, “We are very grateful to Worldwide Cancer Research for its decision to support our study that enhanced the understanding of how chronic infection causes lymphoma. This was a long and technically challenging study, which we started more than six years ago. At that time governmental agencies were not keen to support it, as the project was deemed too risky.”

I think it is safe to say we are very glad we took the risk too.

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Dr Helen Rippon, Director of Research

Solving a 50 year-old cancer mystery. Dr Helen Rippon, Head of Research, reveals how a Worldwide Cancer Research funded scientist has recently solved a 50 year mystery into how malaria is causing cancer in Africa’s “lymphoma belt”.

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In the last 35 years we’ve invested over £190 million into

1,744research projects in over

34 different countries worldwide.

Breast cancer survival rates are now at around 80%, largely thanks to research. But there are still around 522,000 men and women who are losing their battle with it every year worldwide. And a further 152,000 women die from the

less publicised ovarian cancer that is often symptomless and undiagnosed until at a very late stage. Opposite are two recently funded projects that might one day mean even more people survive breast and ovarian cancers.

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Right now we have 163 active research projects

at 114 institutions in 22 different countries

worldwide.

Dr Helena Richardson at the Peter MacCallum

Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, is testing for potential

breast cancer drugs in fruit flies. Fruit flies mimic the defects that occur in human breast cancer surprisingly effectively. These flies have already been used successfully in identifying FDA-approved chemicals for cancer therapy.

Many women who develop ovarian cancer are not

diagnosed until the cancer has spread, meaning survival

rates are low. Professor Gillian Elliott at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England, is developing a cancer killing virus to target ovarian cancer cells. Her goal is to build a virus that only infects cancer cells, is easy to track and importantly will spread rapidly throughout the tumour.

BREASTCANCER

OVARIANCANCER

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The research we fund.As well as funding anywhere in the world, we support research into any type of cancer. Here you can see all the types that are edging a step closer to being beaten right now, thanks to you.

CANCER WITH UNKNOWN ORIGIN

OTHER RARE CANCERS

Text ‘RESEARCH’ to 70004 to donate £5.

BLOOD CANCERS

LUNG CANCER

PROSTATE CANCER

KIDNEY CANCER

OVARIAN CANCER

MOUTH CANCER

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM CANCERS

MELANOMA and OTHER SKIN

CANCERS

BRAIN and NERVOUS SYSTEM CANCERS

BREAST CANCER

WOMB CANCER

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60 projects have the potential to help many or all types of cancer by studying key mechanisms or

exploring new treatments.

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Investing in pioneering prostate cancer research.Two important factors in maintaining good health are firstly making it a priority to see our doctor if something is concerning us and secondly, attending check-ups. It’s a known stereotype that men are not as proactive as women at going to the doctor. But with about 1 in 8 men in the UK getting prostate cancer at some point in their lives, thankfully more men these days do know the importance of getting prostate cancer diagnosed at an early stage. Survival rates are steadily increasing and here are some current projects to help ensure the men in our lives will be around for as long as possible.

WHO: DR JEREMY JONES

WHERE: BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE

CITY OF HOPE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

Prostate cancer cells grow and divide when the androgen receptor is switched on. There are drugs to switch it off, but men develop resistance. Dr Jones has found a chemical that switches it off in a unique way and is now figuring out how it actually works. If successful, it holds great promise for future prostate cancer patients who have become resistant to current treatments.

£199,438

WHO: DR IRENE BIJNSDORP

WHERE: VU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER,

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Prostate cancer often spreads to the bones. Dr Bijnsdorp believes some tiny microRNA’s are secreted by prostate cancer cells and act to ‘prime’ the bones to receive cancer cells when they escape the prostate. If we understand why and how prostate cancer spreads, we can try to stop it from happening.

WHO: PROFESSOR JOHANNA SCHLEUTKER

WHERE: UNIVERSITY OF TURKU, FINLAND

The cause of prostate cancer at the genetic level has so far been difficult to determine. Only a few “high risk” genes and more common genetic mutations have been identified which account for only a small number of cases. Professor Schleutker hopes to identify and characterise more genes involved in prostate cancer.

£188,054

£166,737

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With the Greek economy hitting headlines this year, the main focus was on bail out deals, tax increases and raising the retirement age, but what does it mean for cancer research in the country?

THE GREEK

DEBT CRISIS

- A TRAGEDY

FOR CANCER

RESEARCH?

Dr Vassiliki Kostourou

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We caught up with Dr George Zachos, from the University of Crete, and Dr Vassiliki Kostourou, from the Alexander Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Centre in Athens, to ask what it’s like trying to run a lab during a time of such financial insecurity.

What impact is the financial situation having on your research?

Dr Zachos told us, “We are a bit protected at the moment, thanks to my £163,900 Worldwide Cancer Research grant to study DNA bridges. It means we have enough consumables (chemicals, cells, glassware), money and salaries for a post-doctoral researcher and a PhD student. Government and charity funding in Greece is virtually non-existent so many other researchers are not so lucky.”

Dr Kostourou agreed, “I also find great comfort in my current £224,000 grant to develop new anticancer treatments because it allows me to carry on with my research, despite the frozen financial support from the Greek state. I feel grateful to everyone that donates to Worldwide Cancer Research.”

What do you think it all means in the long term?

“The financial situation makes it difficult to implement long-term planning but I firmly believe that Greek research will continue to stay at the front line of scientific advancement. Personally, I will work hard to ensure the successful outcomes of my projects for the benefit

of both science and cancer patients,” Dr Zachos stated.

How are you and your lab members feeling at the moment?

“Conducting research allows me to maintain my spirit and enthusiasm. I also feel obliged to become a model scientist who will uplift the spirits and provide hope for the younger scientific generation. This is particularly important in the current situation where unemployment has reached 50-60% and many young people are going abroad to continue their research, resulting in a heavy “brain drain”. Cancer research cannot afford to lose these great Greek minds just because there is no money for them to test their ideas and hire people to work in their lab,” Dr Kostourou said thoughtfully.

The current situation in Greece only serves to underline the importance of Worldwide Cancer Research’s aim to fund the best research we can, wherever in the world it takes place. We have previously given over £1.7 million to scientists in Greece and will continue to be a lifeline to Greek researchers. Cancer does not stop for political reasons and we must ensure that cancer research doesn’t either.

Text ‘RESEARCH’ to 70004 to donate £5.

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Mid2000s

1989

Helping pin down the role of P53.Dr Niels B. Atkin helps show how P53 is an important anticancer gene, now probably the most important gene in cancer.

Better diagnosis for children with rare childhood disease.Fanconi’s anaemia is easier to diagnose thanks to our UK scientists.

Paving the way in immunotherapy.We have funded years of pioneering immunotherapy research. Clinical trials start for patients with bowel cancer or head and neck cancer.

Saving lives through mouth cancer screening.One of the first large-scale studies shows that simple screening methods can significantly reduce mouth cancer deaths.

Late2000s

1990s to 2000s

WHERE OUR RESEARCH HAS TAKEN US.

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A new cause of brain and spinal tumours.A genetic discovery using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology is already helping patients in the clinic.

Developing new technology for cancer research.A new technique is invented in the lab of Nobel prize-winner Professor César Milstein, which becomes widely used to study early genetic changes in cancer.

New job for an old drug.We help renew the world’s interest in using the diabetes drug Metformin to prevent and treat cancer, supporting Professor Dario Alessi’s work when nobody else would.

Early2000s

1995

2012to date

The futureYour legacy could help us

make vital breakthroughs in the years ahead. For example, our

research into immunotherapy could transform cancer treatment, while new personalised medicines could

help doctors treat tumours with absolute precision.

If you’d like to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will

please call our Legacy Manager on 01334 477 910 or visit our website: www.worldwidecancerresearch.org

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£1,100RAISED SO FAR

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Gavin Garland – Fighting cancer at the Amsterdam Marathon.

“When I was 15 I was diagnosed with a B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I entered remission when I was 16 and I have now been in remission for 9 years. Since then I have gone on to study biology at university and I now work as a scientist at the University of Cambridge, researching T-cell Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive cancer of white blood cells that is especially prevalent in children. I have been very lucky to not only survive my cancer, but to also get a chance to fight back.”

To sponsor Gavin, visit: www.justgiving.com/ GavinGarlandWCR

We’d like to say a massive thank you to all our fundraisers and also share with you just a few of their amazing fundraising stories.

Paul Webb (featured on the front cover) has now completed seven marathons across seven continents and raised over £23,000 to fund ground-breaking cancer research. From the iconic London Marathon, across the pond to the New York Marathon, down under to New Zealand and finishing in November at the Antarctic Marathon, Paul has done whatever it takes to be a world-class fundraiser and we want to say a huge thank you for his efforts!

Paul raised money for Worldwide Cancer Research because he lost family members to cancer and because this disease affects so many of us. It’s often a personal connection that drives people to go the extra mile and fundraise to support cancer beating research.

To sponsor Paul, visit: www.justgiving.com/around-the-world-in-585-days

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George Morrison – Cycling in memory of his mum and sister.

Back in August, George Morrison took part in Ride London in memory of his mum and sister who both died from cancer.

“The lovely people at Ride London called my bluff and gave me a place in this year’s ride, so I decided to try to raise some money along the way for charity.

“I picked Worldwide Cancer Research in memory of my mum, who died 21 years ago, and my sister Audrey, who died almost 4 years ago. Both had cancer and both were younger than can be considered fair.”

To sponsor George, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com /GeorgeMorrison

£2,637RAISED

£10,000TARGET

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

For most people, our hair is part of our identity. We can hide behind it, style it to make us feel good or even fiddle with it when bored. One of the big worries for a lot of cancer patients when starting chemo is when, and if, their hair will fall out. It therefore takes a lot of guts to voluntarily lose your hair, but this is exactly what Jo Osborn has done, all to raise money for cancer research.

Earlier this year Jo’s family friend, and hairdresser of 20 years, Stephanie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She is still receiving treatment at University College London Hospital and recently lost her hair. In solidarity and to show support, good friend Jo decided to join her friend and shave her head – and who better to complete the task than Stephanie!

When asked how it went Jo told us, “It was amazing, and such a great turn out – probably 100 people watching. I’m now up to £8,000 of my £10,000 goal, so nearly there!”

Jo is also donating her luscious locks to www.littleprincesses.org.uk who make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

To sponsor Jo, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Jozborn

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Be part of the team.Every year fundraisers take to the roads, mountains, swimming pools and skies in a bid to help us fund cancer research all over the world. If you’d like to join us, we have lots of events coming up over the next 12 months.

The iconic Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on 24 April 2016 and we still have a number of places available. There were over 38,000 runners last year including Michael Harrison, who raised more than £4,000 for Worldwide Cancer Research running as part of the Vauxhall Team.

“I managed to smash my target time and finished in 3 hours 33 minutes and 37 seconds,” said Michael.

“Over the last year my family has been touched by cancer in the cruelest of ways. Although survival rates have now doubled, unfortunately it wasn’t to be for my mum. She fought bravely for seven months, but her cancer was so rare and aggressive that there weren’t any trials or new medications that could help. She passed away on Thursday 17th April 2014 at 18.54.”

If you can’t make the London Marathon, then we also have a team running in the Paris Marathon on 3 April 2016. And if marathons aren’t your thing, we will be doing a Colour Run in London and there are triathlons and cycle races happening across the UK.

Finally, our Jersey and London Fundraising Boards are organising bespoke events throughout the year including a rally car race to Switzerland!

If you’d like to register for future events or find out more then please e-mail the events team at events@worldwidecancerresearch.org

An interview with Corporate Champion Jennifer Guyfrom Wilmington Plc.How did you get involved with Worldwide Cancer Research?

We polled employees from all our global offices to select a charity partner – Worldwide Cancer Research was the clear winner. I’m sure one of the reasons the charity received so many votes is because all of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. It’s an important cause and one that Wilmington is proud to adopt. It also fits well with Wilmington’s global outlook.

Who are Wilmington plc?

Wilmington plc is a global knowledge-based business providing information, education and networking in four key knowledge areas: Risk & Compliance, Finance, Legal and Insight. We enable clients – whether individual professionals or organisations – to turn knowledge into advantage.

How will Wilmington and Worldwide Cancer Research work together?

A dedicated Wilmington Charity Committee has been set up to oversee our partnership. Responsibilities for committee members include the organisation and management of Wilmington’s fundraising activities, liaison with Worldwide Cancer Research and, most importantly, great communication with all Wilmington colleagues. As well as fundraising, we also hope to provide other benefits to Worldwide Cancer Research.

Sally Burton-Graham, Worldwide Cancer Research Director of Fundraising, will sit on Wilmington’s Charity Committee to provide updates and good fundraising ideas to share with our people. Sally has already provided some excellent ideas and support as we begin our partner journey together.

Worldwide Cancer Research also runs an Engaging Events series and Wilmington employees will be invited to attend these events, which include a carol concert on 15 December in London and lab tours near Wilmington global offices in other countries.We are all really excited to get behind the charity and help fund some amazing cancer research around the world!

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whatever it takes,wherever it takes us.

ThanksYou give what you can. You go the extra mile. You do amazing things. We appreciate everything you do to raise funds for pioneering cancer research all over the world.

www.worldwidecancerresearch.org

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whatever it takes,wherever it takes us.

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