New study probes rapid spread of rare cancer

Possible new treatments for a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects children and young people are being investigated by researchers at Keele University.

The study will aim to help people with Ewing sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that is known for its tendency to spread quickly.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of bone and soft tissue cancer that most commonly affects people who are 10 to 20 years old. It is slightly more common in men than women, but the exact cause is unknown.

Brightwater Research, a Shropshire-based cancer research charity, is joint-funding a new doctoral research post with the University, that will focus on finding a specific cause for why the disease spreads so rapidly and efficiently through the body.

The research is being carried out by Elliot Bramwell, a PhD candidate in Life Sciences at Keele and recipient of the Royal Society of Biology's Top Student Award.

Elliot said: "The combination of chemotherapy and surgery has improved the survival rate in patients with localised Ewing sarcoma, however, the prognosis for patients where the disease has spread is unfortunately quite poor. Typically, 40-50 children in the UK suffer from it every year and the cancer has already spread from its original site to another part of the body in approximately a quarter of patients at the time of diagnosis.

"The relatively low incidence levels as a percentage of the overall population, means that funding for potential treatments is limited. We believe that the research can deliver real benefits to patients with Ewing sarcoma in the future."

Brightwater Research was established in 2020 with the primary intent of advancing research into Ewing sarcoma and potentially, in the longer term, identifying new and valuable treatments.