Grant boost gives hope for thyroid cancer breakthrough

The charity has granted £24,089 to help develop a diagnostic test for early and cheap genetic sequencing of anaplastic thyroid cancer, which could potentially mean faster access to targeted treatments.

The project is being led by Hannah Nieto, a Clinician Scientist at the University of Birmingham.

She said: “Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, highly aggressive thyroid cancer that is one of the most fatal solid cancers.

“Whilst it is a rare disease, comprising only 1-2 per cent of thyroid cancer cases, it contributes to up to 50 per cent of thyroid cancer deaths, with an average survival of just six months.

“This Get A-Head grant is critical to the project, and I am so grateful that the charity has been able to help support us in this way. This test has the potential to help future anaplastic thyroid cancer patients, who have a very aggressive disease with a poor prognosis.”

The proposed test uses the Oxford MinION nanopore, a revolutionarily tiny, lightweight and portable DNA sequencer, to generate genetic sequencing rapidly.

The grant will be used to pay for a research technician to conduct and assess the testing, as well as consumables associated with the project.

Get A-Head chairman Tom Bromwich said: “The work Hannah and her team are doing to develop a rapid genetic sequencing test is truly groundbreaking, and if they can prove its effectiveness, it could revolutionise the way anaplastic thyroid tumours are treated.

“Get A-Head is committed to supporting cutting edge technologies like this and I’m delighted that we have been able to support this project.

“I know from personal experience that thyroid cancer can have a devastating impact on patients and their families, especially rare and aggressive types like anaplastic thyroid cancer.

“The ability to quickly identify specific genetic mutations will allow doctors to target the therapies which are most likely to be effective, so giving the patient a much better chance of survival.”

Get A-Head, which was founded in Birmingham in the Midlands, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

It has raised more than £10 million and supports research into the causes and treatments of head and neck conditions, particularly cancer, funds life-changing equipment not available through the NHS, pays for education and further training for health care professionals and funds complementary therapies that can improve the lives of people living with head and neck conditions.