The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

In the quest to find more effective cancer treatments, vaccines are showing great promise. Now, thanks in part to research underway at The Royal Marsden, we may be on the verge of a breakthrough. The incredible potential of cancer vaccines has made headlines in recent years, with the launch of clinical trials last year to boost vaccine research marking a significant milestone in the development of these treatments. Vaccines are commonly used to teach the immune system to defend itself against infectious diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. But cancer vaccines are designed to provoke the immune system into fighting cancer. At The Royal Marsden, we’re working with pharmaceutical companies and other NHS trusts across the country to realise the potential of vaccines in cancer treatment, in the hope of transforming patient outcomes in the future. “Personalised mRNA cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy,” explains Dr Naureen Starling, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden. “They’re designed specifically for each person’s cancer, helping the immune system recognise cancer cells, attack them, and stop them from spreading. “We currently have five patients at The Royal Marsden who are on a colorectal cancer trial,” says Dr Starling. “These vaccines are made by studying a patient’s tumour to find genetic changes that are unique to their cancer. That information is then used to create a personalised vaccine designed specifically for that individual. Discover in detail how The Royal Marsden is harnessing the power of vaccines to prevent and treat cancer: https://bit.ly/3IHHsnk

In recognition of #WorldHeadandNeckCancerDay yesterday, we are proud to acknowledge the pioneering work of The Royal Marsden’s International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer (IReC) — the world’s first centre dedicated to the research and treatment of recurrent head and neck cancers. IReC was established in 2021, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, with the ambitious aim of bringing together a team of talented clinicians and researchers to create a centre of international excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment, palliation and supportive care of recurrent cancers. Our current research projects demonstrate our place as a world leader in this field - our researchers participate in several industry trials, and also support seven future academic clinicians who are performing research in the fields of molecular/genetic science, robotic surgery, and functional outcomes for recurrent cancers. Professor Vinidh Paleri, Director of IReC and Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at The Royal Marsden, said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the generous donations that have made IReC a reality. Our ambitious objectives, from creating a national patient registry and tissue bank, to conducting research into novel treatments and training future specialists, have the potential to utterly transform the treatment and care of patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.” Discover more about the pioneering work of IReC: https://lnkd.in/dDdXyHv

Researchers from The Royal Marsden have undertaken an ambitious research programme that aims to revolutionise the head and neck cancer pathway by giving patients quicker access to specialist cancer doctors. In pathways for some suspected cancers, such as prostate and lung, patients may have a scan before being seen in the clinic. But, due to the various types of cancer seen in the head and neck region, there’s no single test or procedure that is suitable to assess everyone referred. The EVEREST-HN programme aims to improve the experience of patients who are referred to NHS services with suspected head and neck cancer. Over the course of the programme (which began in September 2022 and will finalise in September 2028), our researchers will develop and test ways that these patients can tell specialist doctors about their symptoms, before they even come to hospital. EVEREST-HN is supported by the International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer (IReC), thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research). Find out more about this ambitious research programme: https://lnkd.in/eru9PBBF

The Royal Marsden became the first hospital in the world to treat a patient using a pioneering advanced radiotherapy planning system from RaySearch Laboratories. This innovative technology introduces online adaptive radiotherapy (oART), which enables clinicians to adjust a patient’s treatment plan on the same day, while the patient is on the treatment bed, based on changes in the patient’s anatomy. The treatment is delivered using the Accuray Radixact linear accelerator (linac), the latest version of an innovative treatment planning system RayStation and The Royal Marsden’s existing oncology information system. This has been made possible by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity who funded the specialist computing system, an AI-enhanced automated adaptive replanning feature, which supports the oART technology, as well as the hospital’s Accuray Radixact linear accelerator. Furthermore, thanks to a generous donation by The Lady Garden Foundation, a proud member of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity's Patrons' Circle, research is underway to improve treatment delivery and ensure oART meets the specific needs of gynaecological cancer patients, helping pave the way for national training and wider adoption across UK centres. Dr Susan Lalondrelle, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden said: “Being able to tailor each treatment session to the patient’s daily anatomy is a major step forward in delivering more personalised cancer care. This achievement reflects The Royal Marsden’s ongoing commitment to leading innovation in radiotherapy. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4m2DUu8

Huge congratulations to Maria Caulfield, Research Nurse at The Royal Marsden, who has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Maria currently works as a research nurse in gynaecological cancers, is the former Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care and was MP for Lewes. She has been awarded a CBE for her political and public service. Maria said: “I am delighted to receive the award and never expected this, but I'm pleased the work we did in government to improve women’s health has made a difference.” Dr Catherine Hutchinson, one of our former nurses, was also honoured in the King’s Birthday list, with an MBE. Dr Catherine Hutchinson, who now works at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, began her specialised cancer nurse training at The Royal Marsden in the late 80s. She went on to become Scotland’s first doctor of nursing.

The Royal Marsden is proud to be shortlisted in the 2025 Nursing Times Awards for engaging prostate cancer patients to improve specialist nursing care. Congratulations to all involved!

NEWS: Thousands more breast cancer patients to benefit from new NHS treatment. NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has today announced the approval of ribociclib combination therapy to help prevent cancer returning in eligible HR+/HER2- early breast cancer patients. Today's decision significantly expands access to the treatment, which was previously available only for people whose cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes. The new recommendation means it will now also be available for people whose disease hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes. Clinical trial evidence demonstrates that combining ribociclib with an aromatase inhibitor may extend the time before cancer returns compared with using an aromatase inhibitor alone. This represents a significant advance for patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer, offering them enhanced protection during the critical period following initial treatment. Stephen Johnston, Professor of Breast Cancer Medicine and Head of the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden says: “HR+/HER2- is the most common breast cancer subtype. Despite all the advances we have to offer, including endocrine therapy, risk of recurrence remains a concern. We now have an additional option that benefits a broader group, including N1 and high-risk N0 patients. Identifying these patients at residual risk is essential, so we can act early to prevent recurrence." Read more: https://bit.ly/46yLW9R

A new follow-up pathway at The Royal Marsden is supporting patients who have overcome testicular cancer to take control of their recovery and their long-term health. Although most patients survive the disease, many experience other long-term issues with their physical and mental health. Now, The Royal Marsden’s Empower pathway, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is providing tailored, holistic follow-up care for these patients and is already making a real difference in their lives. Following a successful pilot – which was designed with the involvement of patients and initially funded by RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance – Empower has been made a permanent programme and is set to expand to include prostate cancer patients. “The aim is to make the transition from specialist care back to a GP as smooth as possible, ensuring that patients feel supported throughout their journey” says Penny Champion, Advanced Nurse Practitioner. The success of the Empower pathway has paved the way for its expansion into prostate cancer care. By adapting this approach, The Royal Marsden is continuing to lead the way in cancer recovery, offering hope, support and the tools for better health outcomes. “We see this programme as changing the landscape of cancer follow-up care,” says Dr Holwell. “With its focus on personalised, remote and patient-focused care, the programme provides a model for future cancer recovery plans, ensuring patients can manage their health and wellbeing long after their treatment ends.” Read more: https://bit.ly/3TDyYzV

Are you currently working in pathology and looking for your next role? The Royal Marsden is seeking a widely experienced Pathology Operations Manager to ensure effective and efficient operational, and strategic delivery of our world-class pathology services. This is an opportunity to contribute to the delivery of cutting-edge cancer diagnostics and research in an internationally renowned institution. To find out more and to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/4lsCU2L Closing date: 23/07/2025 at 23:59

Patients worldwide could be spared radioactive iodine treatment after thyroid cancer surgery, a new study has found. For many patients, radioactive iodine treatment after thyroid cancer surgery means side effects like nausea and time in hospital, isolated from loved ones. But new clinical trial results from researchers at UCL, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Royal Marsden, mean hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide could now safely be spared this treatment. Globally, around 820,000 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year. Compared to most cancers, it affects a high proportion of younger people and is also three times more common in women than men. The Iodine or Not (IoN) clinical trial, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in The Lancet, sought to determine whether patients with low-risk thyroid cancer could safely forego radioactive iodine treatment following surgery to remove the thyroid. The trial involved 504 patients aged 17-80 from 33 UK cancer centres, whose chances of their thyroid cancer returning were determined to be low. Half were randomly assigned to receive radioactive iodine treatment, which is designed to destroy any remaining cancer cells following surgery, the other half received surgery only. The patients were assessed regularly for at least five years. By the end of the study, 98% of patients who did not have radioactive iodine were still free from thyroid cancer. Dr Kate Newbold, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and co-investigator of the study, said: “IoN is an exemplar study that shows that the UK can successfully run major practice-changing clinical trials in cancer – with impacts for patients and healthcare systems internationally.” Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3IlqTNJ