Author: ITM_admin

The first military and civilian wound research centre of its kind in the world was officially opened at the Institute of Translational Medicine, as part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham today, aiming to minimise the psychological and physical impact of scarring among armed forces personnel and civilians wounded in terrorist attacks. The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research is a ground-breaking national facility that marks a vital step in achieving the charity’s goal of achieving scar free healing within a generation.

The new world-class centre has the potential to improve the lives of the estimated 4.5 million people in the UK who currently live with a physical scar which affects their wellbeing. Scarring has a particularly significant long-term impact on survivors of conflict and terrorist attack, with more than 6,000 members of the British armed forces having been seriously injured or scarred in recent conflicts.

Veterans who have survived physical injury are also at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems. The new centre will support the creation of bespoke psychosocial interventions to help veterans and their families adjust to living with scars.

Building on the UK’s leading role in wound healing and regenerative research, the new centre will bring together scientists and clinicians to investigate the body’s healing process following trauma common to conflicts and attack (chemical, burn and blast injury). Over 480 patients, many of them injured veterans, will take part in research over the next three years, and the expert team will spearhead the development of new psychological, clinical and biological treatments including:

• The first clinical trial of a battle-ready, transportable dressing, which can be used in the field of conflict to help the skin heal with reduced scarring – this has potential civilian use e.g. at the scene of traffic accidents and other severe trauma.
• Pilot of tailored psychological treatments to help seriously injured Armed Forces personnel cope with life with an altered, scarred appearance. This project will involve veterans from recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, recruited through The CASEVAC Club (which represents injured veterans – pictured above).
• Development of improved laser treatment to correct historic scarring amongst veterans and civilians.

Brendan Eley, Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation, said:

“The physical and emotional effects of scarring are serious and often life changing. Our aim is to deliver scar free healing within a generation by establishing a pioneering programme of medical research in the UK. The launch of this centre is an important part of achieving our goal, and by working with world leading experts, scientists, and researchers, we are discovering revolutionary new treatments that will transform the lives of millions worldwide.”

The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research has been established in partnership with Birmingham Health Partners founder members the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, as well as the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, and The CASEVAC injured veterans club. Crucially, the centre will be closely integrated with a wider network of academic and clinical institutions in the UK and beyond to ensure that the work is inclusive and at the forefront of scarring research.”

Professor Naiem Moiemen, Director of The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, said:

“We are delighted to host the new Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research here in Birmingham. It builds upon our ongoing partnership with the Scar Free Foundation since June 2012, with the Centre for Burns Research. We are honoured to be able to continue our work with Scar Free and are committed for the long-term to achieve the Scar Free Foundation’s mission to achieve scar free healing within a generation.”

Research undertaken at The Scar Free Foundation centre will cost £4.8 million over three years. This is being funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds of £3 million – the largest grant announced in the final round of LIBOR funding – alongside an additional £1.5 million from the Foundation’s partners, including the Ana Leaf Foundation and JP Moulton Charitable Foundation.

The work carried out is actively supported by senior armed forces personnel including the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Surgeon General. Other Armed Forces charities including Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion and Forces in Mind Trust are also cooperating in research activity.”

Birmingham Health Partners-led RePHILL (REsuscitation with Pre-HospItaL bLood products) is the UK’s first trial in which eligible patients are recruited by ‘pre-hospital emergency medical (PHEM) teams’ and are randomly allocated treatment with either pre-hospital blood products or the standard care, saline.

The RePHILL trial assesses the effects of giving trauma patients blood products after a major injury, but before reaching hospital, and thanks to regional collaboration, has now recruited over 100 patients. [As at August 2019, the team has now reached 300 recruits.]

Alongside the work taking place by the trial sponsor, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), this regional partnership project includes the University of Birmingham, Midlands Air Ambulance, The Air Ambulance Service, East Anglian Air Ambulance, MAGPAS Air Ambulance, emergency departments and blood banks across the West Midlands and the East of England.

The trial, which at its most basic is about saving lives and making the best use of precious blood stocks, is being run by the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (SRMRC) team (based here at the ITM) and  is managed by the University of Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit.

Amy Bamford, Senior Research Sister, said: “Currently several ambulance services and air ambulance routinely give blood to trauma patients, but there is no strong evidence to demonstrate that giving these is beneficial and, of course, there are significant clinical, logistical and financial consequences to giving all patients this treatment.

“RePHILL randomly allocates patients to receive either a combination of O-negative blood and freeze dried plasma or saline (the standard care), and the aim is to assess if early use of these precious resources does actually save lives”.

Hazel Smith, Research Paramedic, emphasised how important collaboration has been in expanding the trial and reaching recruits: “It’s not easy in an emergency situation to stop and think about the trial, but all those involved have been brilliant at doing just that, and then following up with the inevitable paperwork it produces.”

Time is of the essence when a recruit to the trial is being treated. A two hour window is vitally important to follow up after the patient is initially treated, which is then followed by thirty days of measurements and organ function monitoring. Currently 11 nurses at UHB between them provide 24/7 cover for the trial, plus a trial pharmacist.

Some of the support the trial receives has been free from local charities, including Midlands Freewheelers. This team, usually seen on motorbikes moving blood products and other medical essentials around the region, are helping to get the large boxes of blood and saline where they need to be and so have taken to four wheels, rather than two, to manage this.

Hazel added: “All of those involved play an essential role in keeping this long term trial running, from the people who so carefully pack the randomised boxes – to those who get them where they need to be and then the doctors and paramedics for putting the treatment into action.” It is hoped that at the current rate of recruitment the trial will end in 2019.

MATT Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at the Institute of Translational Medicine on Thursday, 23 August to learn about their life-saving work.

The minister saw first-hand the pioneering research taking place at the Cancer Research UK Centre, particularly in the fields of bowel and lung cancer.

During the visit, Mr Hancock was given a tour of the labs with Dr Andrew Beggs who is heading a £1.5 million research programme aimed at finding new treatments for bowel cancer.

The pioneering research, the first of its kind in the UK, involves scientists taking samples of 200 patients in order to grow bowel cancer avatars – or mini tumours – in the laboratory. The avatars are then exposed to over 2,000 drugs and treatments, some of which have never been previously tested.

Mr Hancock also met researchers at the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit who are investigating a wide range of cancers, including breast, skin, blood cancers and head and neck cancers.

And he visited the Children’s Cancer Trials Team at the University which co-ordinates ground breaking clinical trials at centres around the country, making innovative new treatments available to children with cancer.

Mr Hancock said: “I have been hugely impressed by the incredible work to revolutionise cancer treatment, driven by the partnership between academics, business, charities and the NHS.

“The collaboration between Cancer Research UK and Birmingham Health Partners demonstrates the critical importance of a shared scientific approach. It promises to be transformative for patients.”

Emma Greenwood, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, said she was delighted to have the support of Mr Hancock in highlighting the work of the centre.

She said: “With the NHS plan for the next decade soon to be published, it’s encouraging to see the new Health Secretary visiting today and standing shoulder to shoulder with the NHS workforce.

“For the 85 people diagnosed with cancer every day in the West Midlands, early diagnosis and treatment staff are vital to tackle their cancers sooner and more effectively.

“To face the challenge of a growing and ageing population and achieve outcomes that are amongst best in world for patients, we need fantastic research centres like this one paired with a cancer workforce that’s fit for the future.”

Last year, Cancer Research UK spent over £9 million on pioneering research in the region.

Professor David Adams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences and Dean of Medicine, Professor of Hepatology and Director of NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Birmingham said: “With our Cancer Research-UK and NHS partners, we are leading some of the most advanced work across the globe to develop and test new cancer treatments, with the ultimate goal of improving survival rates.

“The Secretary of State’s signalled commitment to continue the Government’s support in this crucial research area is welcome. We will continue to build on recent advances in genetics and precision medicine to deliver cutting edge clinical trials that lead to the successful treatment of a range of cancers.”

A project that could revolutionise how sports-related concussion injuries are diagnosed recently won the prestigious Sankey prize.

The REpetitive COncussion in Sport (RECOS) project, led by researchers at the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (SRMRC) within the ITM, and University of Birmingham, could help create a test that can be performed pitch-side and objectively determine if a player has been concussed.

The Sankey prize, awarded by the Birmingham Sankey society in honour of a famous surgeon, is a Birmingham-wide award for clinical research. Dozens of abstract entries were shortlisted, and the final four were presented and judged at an event at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) in May.

Dave Davies, NIHR SRMRC Clinical Lecturer, gave the presentation, and has also presented at Grand Round.

“It was fantastic to win the senior Sankey prize for research for our work on measuring concussion,” said Dave.

“We have already identified specific markers that can predict prolonged symptoms and help monitor recovery afterwards, and we now believe these markers could help develop a diagnostic device that could be used pitch-side.

“While I gave the presentation, it’s been a real team effort, and I’d really like to thank my colleagues across the SRMRC and University.

“As the recent Lorius Karius story shows, concussion is increasingly common across all sports, so being able to provide an objective diagnosis during a game would have massive benefits.”

Diagnosis of concussion is currently based on clinical judgements, but RECOS is likely to lead to objective tests that could help better diagnose and manage concussion in the future.

In the 2017/18 season, rugby players from Aviva Premiership Rugby and Green King IPA Championship clubs who suffered concussion in a game came to UHB for clinical tests including neuroimaging, the results of which are compared with blood and saliva samples collected pitch-side by club medics.

Dave works closely with Valentina Di Pietro, senior Research Fellow at UoB, who has developed the biomarkers.

“We’ve noticed that a ‘switch’ occurs during concussion in the brain, leading to changes that can be detected on advanced imaging techniques called spectroscopy, as well as in micro-RNAs,” said Valentina.

“Potentially, we could confirm concussion during a game, which will also help guide recovery times.

“The research will benefit players of all abilities, across all sports.”

The study was carried out in collaboration with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’ Association, and was the biggest of its kind to take place in the history of UK sport.  A follow-up trial will be led by the RFU.

Professor Tony Belli is the lead for RECOS, and also runs the Birmingham Sport Concussion Clinic (BSCC), which is based at UHB and forms part of the SRMRC. It is open to professional and amateur athletes from the across the West Midlands, and currently sees hundreds of athletes a year.

More information about the BSCC can be found here: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/birmingham-sport-concussion-clinic.htm

The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP, was joined by Greg Clark MP and Professor Sir John Bell on Wednesday 30 August at the Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM) – co-located on the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham campus – to make two major national life sciences investment announcements as part of the launch of the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy.

Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), announced £146 million of government money over four years for five projects which will support advanced therapies, advanced medicines and vaccines development and manufacturing. The programme is expected to leverage a further £253 million from partners. The projects are:

• Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre: A £13 million competition to establish a new centre, in partnership with industry, that will accelerate the adoption of emerging and novel manufacturing technologies
• Vaccines Development and Manufacturing Centre: To develop and manufacture vaccines for clinical trials and prepare for emergency epidemic threats, the Government is investing £66m in a new centre of excellence
• Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre: £30m investment in three new sites will help establish a network of centres, based in hospitals, that will transform the UK’s ability to develop and deliver cell and gene therapies to a large number of patients
• Expanding the Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Centre: Enhancing the UK’s offer in the fast-moving field of cell and gene therapy by investing £12m in doubling the capacity of the Cell and Gene Therapy Centre in Stevenage
• Research & Development to support innovation at the manufacturing centres: Through a new collaborative scheme, the Government is investing £25m to support SMEs working in this sector and boost innovation.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP said: “The UK has always been at the forefront of scientific excellence. From the discovery of antibiotics to our world-leading 100,000 Genomes project, we have a proud history of medical breakthrough and innovation.

“I want patients to continue to be at the front of the queue for the best treatments available, whether that means early access to trials, giving staff brand new innovations and technology to work with, or being at the heart of research to share best practice quickly across the health and social care system. A strong and growing life sciences sector ensures this, particularly as we negotiate our exit from the EU.”

In welcoming the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy, the Health Secretary is also announcing £14m funding to support 11 medical technology research centres to encourage collaboration between the NHS and industry in developing and bringing new technologies to patients through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). This will mean patients will continue to benefit from new technologies which will help to improve diagnosis and get them the treatment they need quickly.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “The life sciences sector is of critical importance to the UK economy and UK health – with over 5,000 companies, nearly 235,000 employees and a turnover of £64 billion in 2016 – and the Government is committed to continuing to help this sector go from strength to strength.

“The Life Sciences Industrial Strategy demonstrates the world-class expertise the UK already has in this sector and represents the industry’s vision for how we can build on our world-leading reputation in this field.

“We will be engaging with Sir John Bell in the coming months in an effort to work towards a Sector Deal that helps us seize the opportunities in this area.”

The University of Birmingham’s Head of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences and Director of Birmingham Health Partners Professor David Adams welcomed the guests, stating: “This is an exciting time to be working in life sciences and it is a great pleasure to welcome Greg Clark and Jeremy Hunt here today.

“Here in Birmingham we are proud of our innovative work, created in exciting partnerships between academia, the NHS and industry. I am delighted to hear their announcements today, and look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”

Following the announcements Professor Sir John Bell, Regus Chair of Medicine at the University of Oxford, who led on the development of the strategy, delivered a keynote speech.