University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is an internationally recognised leader in cancer research, with particular expertise in cancer immunology, blood cancers, clinical trials, and early cancer detection. Its research ecosystem spans the full ‘bench to bedside’ pathway, translating scientific discoveries into innovative clinical trials and improved patient outcomes through its world-class teaching hospital. This environment maximises the impact of Against Breast Cancer funding at Southampton.

In 2018, the University of Southampton established the UK’s first dedicated Centre for Cancer Immunology. Against Breast Cancer’s 10-Year Therapeutic Antibody Programme, led by researchers Professor Max Crispin, Professor Stephen Beers, and Dr Charlie Birts is based there.
Early detection and diagnostics
Southampton has a growing programme in early cancer diagnosis, combining biomarkers, proteomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. A notable example is the miONCO early cancer detection test, which originated from Against Breast Cancer funding in the 5-year ABC Discover, programme led by Professor Paul Skipp, Head of the Centre of Proteomics. miONCO can detect twelve of the most common cancers, including breast cancer, from a small blood sample and identify where the cancer originated.
Clinical trials and translation
A key strength of Southampton which enhances the value of Against Breast Cancer funding is its ability to move discoveries rapidly into patient studies through the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre. Professor Ramsay Cutress, a breast cancer surgeon and Against Breast Cancer Scientific Advisor, is based here. The university runs early-phase and late-phase trials across a range of cancers, including lymphoma, prostate cancer, mesothelioma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer.
Research Programmes