Exciting cancer research that has unlocked why some cancers are drug-resistant has led to a novel chemotherapy treatment incorporating Lithium. The research, which was funded by Breakthrough and led by Dr. Sharon McKenna at UCC, has found that adding lithium to the chemotherapy regime blocks the cancer cells’ ability to repair the internal damage normally inflicted by chemotherapy. This makes the chemotherapy more effective and reduces the risk of the cancer returning again.

UCC Cancer Trials Group has been awarded €2.37m by the Health Research Board (HRB) to fund a collaborative five-year project that will bring together a dedicated team of cancer specialists and research staff from across the south of Ireland and give greater access to clinical trials for patients in the south/southwest. The new cancer trials group will be co-led by Professor Roisin Connolly, the Professor Gerald O'Sullivan Chair in Cancer Research, and Professor Joseph Eustace, Director of the Clinical Research Facility UCC, alongside Site Leads and Principal Investigators from oncology clinical trials units at Cork University Hospital, the Bons Secours Cork and University Hospital Waterford.

Marjorie Brennan speaks with Professor Roisín Connolly and Professor Josephine Hegarty about a new study aiming to improve quality of life for women following treatment for breast and gynaecological cancers.

Dr Dearbhaile Collins is one of two clinicians chosen for the Irish Cancer Society’s 2021 Clinician Research Leadership Award. The aim of this important scheme is to attract and retain world-class cancer research leaders in Ireland who will drive evidence-based improvements in patient care. The current Lung Cancer Lead for Cork University Hospital as well as a member of the National Cancer Control Programme lung cancer leads group and a Senior Clinical Lecturer with University College Cork, Dr Dearbhaile Collins has current research interests across a wide range of areas which she is looking forward to advancing under the award and she intends for her research to have a significant patient impact.

‘Women’s Cancer Survivorship: Supporting and Innovating for Change’ at Cork University Hospital is one of two pilot clinics funded by the Irish Cancer Society as part of the Women’s Health Initiative.