UK’s National Cancer Research Institute to close

Scientists have expressed shock after the UK’s National Cancer Research Institute announced its closure, blaming “uncertainty in the wider economic and research environment”.

The NCRI was established in 2001 to identify gaps in cancer research and to seek to address them, while attempting to reduce unnecessary duplication of scientific effort. It sought to formalise connections between and coordinate the efforts of many of the UK’s main cancer research funders and charities, including the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

However, in a letter published on 26 June, Fiona Driscoll, the NCRI chair, says that the organisation would be wound down.

“NCRI consulted widely with stakeholders last year to produce a strategy fit for the future. This identified a compelling set of priorities, but has raised significant questions around the sustainability of NCRI’s operating and funding model, which we have not been able to resolve in such a way which would deliver long term viability for the organisation,” Ms Driscoll writes.

“Reluctantly therefore, the board decided that the risk of operational failure was too great to continue.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and has huge impact on the NCRI staff. We are grateful for their continued support, hard work and professionalism at such a challenging time.”

Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, said it was “shocking news that will significantly impact cancer research and the development of new treatments in the UK”.

“The NCRI brought together cancer research funders, researchers and patients to improve the coordination of cancer research across the UK and to identify and address critical gaps in research,” he said. “It partnered with other organisations to coordinate and accelerate cancer research and improve patient outcomes.

“The NCRI created 20 networks focused on different cancers including brain cancer and children’s cancer that provided a forum for collaboration and the prioritisation of research and clinical trials.

“This is yet another blow to the UK research community and to the position of the UK as a world leader in cancer research.”

In her letter, Ms Driscoll writes that cancer research has “matured significantly” over the past 22 years and that many of its original purposes have been taken over as “business as usual” by partners, some of which might take forward some of the NCRI’s activities now it is closing.

However, she adds, “uncertainty in the wider economic and research environment has had an impact”.

Sarah McDonald, deputy director of Blood Cancer UK, said that the NCRI had “played an important role in the cancer research landscape”.

“It’s sad that this longstanding multi-partner collaboration between clinicians, those with lived experience and charities will be winding down. The partnership has had success, helping identify unmet needs for those with cancer, helping develop hundreds of trials, with thousands of people getting access to new, potentially life-saving treatments,” she said.

“Clinical trials are the only way those living with blood cancer can access new treatment. While this announcement doesn’t mean that an ongoing trial and those accessing existing drugs will be affected, work will be needed to make sure this gap is plugged.”

Scientists have expressed concern about the impact of a decline in medical research fundraising, driven in part by the closure of charity shops and the cancellation of events during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report published by the Institute for Public Policy Research at the end of 2020 estimated that research charities stood to spend £4.1 billion less than expected between then and 2027, triggering concern about the potential loss of fellowships and projects funded by the organisations.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com