The National Institute for Health and Care Research has announced a £13.7 million investment to establish a first‑of‑its‑kind Brain Tumour Research Consortium, bringing together 48 hospitals, universities, cancer centres, charities and patients in a coordinated national partnership to accelerate the development of new brain tumour treatments.
The consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children diagnosed with brain tumours — among the toughest cancers to treat — by expanding access to early‑stage clinical trials, strengthening research capacity across the UK and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders.
Further NIHR funding for brain tumour treatment trials is expected in early 2026, delivered through the consortium and complementing ongoing research funded by the Medical Research Council and UK Research and Innovation.
Brain tumours account for 13,000 new cases of brain, CNS and intracranial tumours in the UK each year, making them the eighth most common cancer. Survival rates have improved slowly over time, and progress has lagged behind advances seen in other cancer types.
By addressing these barriers, the consortium aims to position the UK as a global leader in brain tumour treatment development.
The initiative will be led by Professor Juanita Lopez (The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust), with co‑leads Professor Darren Hargrave (Great Ormond Street Hospital / UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) and Dr Richard Mair (Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute / University of Cambridge / Cambridge University Hospitals).
Their work will focus on developing and delivering advanced clinical trials involving:
- Precision medicines tailored to individual tumour profiles
- Radiotherapy innovation
- Immunotherapies
- Gene therapy approaches
The goal is to generate robust evidence to support future NHS access, where new treatments prove safe and effective.
Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR CEO, commented:
“Brain tumours are one of the most difficult cancers to treat with thousands of people diagnosed each year. This new funding aims to shift the dial in brain tumour research, accelerating the UK towards more life-changing treatments for adults and children with this deadly disease.
“This vital partnership brings together some of the UK’s best scientists, health and care professionals, charities and patients to improve lives through cutting-edge research. It demonstrates how NIHR is driving life-changing research for the health of our society, and ensuring more people can be part of research including those from underserved communities.”
The consortium will introduce several national initiatives, including:
- A ‘real‑world’ patient study tracking outcomes in everyday clinical settings and matching participants to trials based on tumour subtype
- New clinical trials, including platform trials, to evaluate targeted therapies, radiotherapy technologies, immunotherapies and gene‑based treatments
- Training programmes to build long‑term research capacity and develop future scientific leaders
- Formal partnerships with patients and families, ensuring lived experience informs every stage of research
Today’s announcement aligns with the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and its focus on earlier diagnosis, cutting deaths from major diseases, and ensuring longer, healthier lives. It also precedes publication of the National Cancer Plan in 2026.
NIHR leaders say the investment marks a major step toward shifting the dial on brain tumour research, improving survival rates and giving patients across the UK expanded access to innovative, potentially life‑saving treatments.
Image credit: iStock
