CRUK UK Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence

There are over 150 brain tumour types. They can be classified based on the type of cell they grow from, their location in the brain and how likely they are to spread. Tumours are graded by the cell activity and aggressiveness on a scale of I to IV. Treatment options vary depending on the cell type, grade, size, and location of the tumour.

The most common type of primary brain cancer in adults is glioblastoma originating from glial cells. Glioblastoma spreads quickly and invades other parts of the brain - it is challenging to treat.  

Brain cancer survival remains low, and has changed little in over a generation. With over 11,000 new cases of brain tumours in the UK each year and 10-year survival rate of less than 15%, there is a pressing need for development of better treatments.

The CRUK Centre Brain Tumourr Centre of Excellence aims to help deliver a step change in glioma research in the UK by bringing together world-leading experts to advance understanding of the biology underpinning the disease and explore new avenues for diagnosis and personalised treatment.

Research focus and strategic partnerships

Patient engagement

Connecting researchers with patients and the public to improve patient outcomes.

Research engagement is a priority for UCL and the CRUK-UCL Centre. By sharing and discussing their work with patients, our scientists are able to show how research at UCL is fundamental to developing new processes and kinder therapies that can help more people survive their cancer.

Our dedicated CRUK Research Engagement Manager, works with researchers to showcase the cancer research being carried out at UCL through lab tours, open days and other events. Over the past year, UCL researchers have supported and delivered around 30 events, with over 40 different scientists from across UCL spreading news about our research to almost 2,000 people. 

The UCL Public Engagement Unit exists to champion UCL's founding principle of open education and access to knowledge. At the core of public/patient engagement is the idea of two way dialogue connecting higher education research and teaching with the world outside. The Public Engagement Team help UCL staff and students listen to and engage with communities.

News and features

Aggressive brain tumours can mimic normal brain repair processes

UCL Parrinello Lab have made a ‘surprising’ discovery that glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, mimics normal brain repair in white matter, which leads to the tumour becoming less malignant. Researchers used these novel findings to identify drugs which could be used, or repurposed, to harness this response and treat the cancer.

Brain cancer trial recruits largest ever number of patients

A clinical trial for patients with brain cancer, designed by a UCL scientist, has recruited more UK participants than ever before, for a study of its kind. The IPI-GLIO trial represents the UK’s first large scale, charitably funded, immunotherapy trial for NHS patients recently diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.