Kim Linton

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Name

Kim Linton

Job title

Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology

Email Address

the-christie.medicaloncology.lymphomasecretaries@nhs.net

Phone number

0161 446 3753

Qualifications

MBChB, MRCP, PhD

Specialities

Lymphoma

Responsibilities

  • Management of lymphoma
  • Academic research and teaching (The University of Manchester)

Professional biography

Dr Kim Linton is an academic clinician working at The Christie and The University of Manchester to improve outcomes for patients with lymphoma through the delivery of innovative and world-class research. Her goal is to develop individualised, effective and safe treatments for patients with blood cancers.

The lymphoma team has an international reputation in clinical trials research to develop novel treatments for lymphoma patients, both to improve cure rates and to prolong good quality life in individuals whose disease is resistant to conventional treatments. The team has a large portfolio of clinical trials and welcomes enquiries from patients and clinicians regarding potential trial participation.

Dr Linton also has several ongoing laboratory projects examining lymphoma tumours at a molecular level to distinguish patients who are likely to do well with existing treatments from those with a poor predicted outcome for whom alternative approaches may be more appropriate. This work is referred to as tumour profiling and the identification of disease biomarkers. Breakthroughs in the laboratory are being translated to the clinic to develop personalised treatment for patients.

A recent example of this involved a clinical trial to develop PET scanning as an imaging disease biomarker in early stage Hodgkin lymphoma. Through PET, clinicians are now able to identify patients with a good prognosis who may not require the addition of radiotherapy after chemotherapy. Two laboratory-based studies are underway to identify key genes linked to outcome in a common lymphoma (DLBCL) and a rare subtype (peripheral T cell lymphomas). A third study is planned to evaluate prognosis biomarkers in early stage Hodgkin lymphoma.

Late effects of lymphoma treatment can significantly undermine the quality and duration of life for survivors. Dr Linton and her colleagues have recently collaborated with Astra Zeneca and The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute to investigate novel biomarkers to predict heart disease following treatment with chemotherapy; a follow-on study is in progress.

Currently, Dr Linton is a member of the NICE guideline development group for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She has contributed to the forthcoming BCSH guidelines for the management of DLBCL, and is a current member of the NCRI low grade lymphoma subgroup and the national PCNSL working party.

Publications

The Christie Private Care

Dr. Linton also practises privately at The Christie Private Care