The Christie Charity
Our research areas A-Z
We carry out research into a wide range of cancer types and treatments. Current research includes understanding the molecular and cellular basis of cancer and finding out why cancer cells can become resistant to drug treatment.
Search our A-Z of current research areas.
A
Advanced immune and cellular therapy
Early phase clinical trials of treatments for solid tumours. This includes tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies and treatments. These enable people’s own immune systems to treat cancer using white blood cells called T-cells.
B
Breast
Research into early and advanced breast cancers and breast cancer prevention. This includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other targeted therapies. It also includes collaboration projects with basic scientists at the Manchester Breast Centre.
C
Caregivers
Research focusing on improving the experience of friends, family and people caring for someone diagnosed with cancer.
Central nervous system
Phase 1 to 3 clinical trials using chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted treatments for brain and central nervous system tumours.
Chemoprevention
Testing medication to help lower the risk of cancer in people at moderate to high risk of developing specific cancers.
Christie Patient Centred Research
Christie Patient Centred Research (CPCR) conducts high-quality research focusing on patient and family members experiences and quality of life to collect important information about what it’s like to go through cancer treatment and how it affects people.
D
Data insight
Research using mathematical models and computer technologies to extract, analyse and interpret data. Data used is already available ('real world') and covers topics like observations, diagnosis and treatments.
E
Early detection
Studies to improve early detection of cancer, including non-invasive tests using biomarkers and screening people at risk of cancer based on records and family history.
Endocrinology
Clinical trials and research studies into treatments for endocrine disorders such as acromegaly and hyperthyroidism.
Experimental cancer medicine
Phase 1 and non-randomised Phase 2 clinical trials across all types of solid tumour. Specialising in first-in-human, first-in-combination radiotherapy combinations and regulatory clinical pharmacology studies. Key themes include precision medicine, digital innovation, immune-oncology, patient experience and training and education.
G
Gastrointestinal
Clinical trials of treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) colorectal, pancreatic, primary liver, neuroendocrine and cholangiocarcinoma (biliary tract) tumours and upper GI oesophageal/stomach cancers. These include chemotherapy, targeted and biological therapies radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.
Gynaecology
Surgical and non-surgical treatments for cancers of the ovary, vulva, cervix and womb (endometrial). This includes phase 1, 2 and randomised phase 3 trials involving surgical, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and symptomatic treatments.
H
Head and neck
Research into treatments for head and neck or thyroid cancer. Includes phase 1 to 3 trials using chemotherapy, targeted treatments and radiotherapy such as proton beam therapy.
L
Leukaemia
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research into treatments for leukaemia including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for adults.
Living with and beyond cancer
Research focusing on improving quality of life and the long-term consequences of cancer.
Lung
Research into lung cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapies, biomarker studies (understanding cancer cells) and personalised medicine tailored to genetic profiles.
Lymphoma
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research into treatments for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and CAR-T therapy. See more about this on the lymphoma research section.
M
Melanoma
Research into malignant melanoma cancer treatments including immunotherapy, biological therapies, biomarker studies (understanding cancer cells) and personalised medicine tailored to genetic profiles.
Myelodysplasia
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research for low to high-risk myelodysplasia, associated anaemias and other bone marrow failure related haematological malignancies.
Myeloma
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research covering asymptomatic smouldering myeloma through to relapsed refractory multiple myelomas.
Myeloproliferative disorders
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research for myeloproliferative disorders and neoplasms such as myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia.
O
Observational and supportive research
Research studies looking at observational, surgical, palliative and supportive care across different types of cancer. Also looking at treatments involving interventions, questionnaires and occasional medications.
P
Cancer prevention
Research into the prevention of cancer, including using vaccinations, lifestyle changes and community health promotion.
Patient-centred research
Christie Patient Centred Research (CPCR) is a research group set up in partnership with The University of Manchester. It aims to further improve patient experience and patient-centred outcomes through a structured programme of research. Read more information about this group on the Christie Patient Centred Research section.
R
Radiotherapy
Clinical trials and other research studies into developing and improving radiotherapy to treat cancer. This includes personalised radiotherapy, radiation drug combinations, proton beam therapy, MR-linac adaptive radiotherapy, brachytherapy and evaluating 4-D imaging and motion modelling using ‘big data’ methodologies.
Renal
Researching new treatments for renal (kidney) cancer including chemotherapy, biological therapies and innovative immunotherapy using personalised medicine.
S
Cancer screening
Research to promote cancer screening and identify barriers to its uptake.
Sarcoma and germ cell tumours
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other research studies for a large range of rare tumours. Tumours researched include gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), osteosarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and Germ Cell Tumours (GCT). Trials include multinational collaborations with sarcoma research groups including the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).
Stem cell transplantation
Phase 1 to 3 trials and other clinical and translational research for transplant therapy such as conditioning regimes, graft versus host disease and other transplant associated complications and cytomegalovirus reactivation.
Surgical oncology
Research using surgical oncology treatments in colorectal, peritoneal tumour, gynaecological surgical oncology, plastics and skin and urology. This includes trials involving carcinogenesis, clinical epidemiology, tissue and radiological imaging and translational biomarkers.
T
Teenage and young adults
Specialist clinical trials with younger people aged 16-25 who have lymphoma, sarcoma, germ cell tumours or central nervous system cancers.
U
Urology
Phase 1 to 3 trials for prostate, bladder, urololetheliaum and penile cancer treatments.