Cambridge scientists investigating the detection and prevention of oesophageal cancer won an award last night at the first NIHR Impact Prizes. These awards recognise major improvements in health over the last two decades, driven by research and scientific advances.
Established investigator award winner: Team capsule sponge
Led by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, the capsule sponge team have developed a quick and simple ‘pill on a string’ test and AI-based analysis that they hope could be used in GP surgeries to detect Barrett’s oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer.
The technology is already reducing endoscopy backlogs, providing a less invasive and more acceptable test for thousands of patients across the UK. To help find new cases the team is currently recruiting for the BEST4 trial, if successful it could lead to a national screening programme.
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, which will be built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, will bring together clinical and research expertise, including Professor Fitzgerald’s work, under one roof. It will enable the development and discovery of more non-invasive devices like the capsule sponge, to detect cancer earlier, and save more lives.
"Cases of oesophageal cancer have risen dramatically over the last 30 years. Screening people with capsule sponge could detect many more cases early, which will prevent deaths from this devastating cancer, and reduce the number of people experiencing side effects from treatment. The whole team are thrilled to have our work recognised by the NIHR through this award, and for all the support we’ve received over the years."
Rebecca Fitzgerald, Professor of cancer prevention at the University of Cambridge and honorary consultant in gastroenterology at CUH
The award celebrates work performed at CUH and the University of Cambridge. They were selected from 136 applicants from across the country.
"Huge congratulations to the winners. The project reflects the research excellence we have here in Cambridge, and demonstrate what we can achieve through close cross-sector collaboration. The Impact Awards represent an outstanding opportunity to celebrate research supported by the NIHR that is making a difference at the national level and beyond."
Professor Miles Parkes, Director of the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Consultant Gastroenterologist at CUH
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Impact Awards celebrate NIHR funded and supported research across areas including health, public health, social care, and global health research. The award ceremony was held last night in Birmingham and awards were presented by Professor Lucy Chappell, the Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR.
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The development of the capsule sponge has received significant funding from Cancer Research UK and received NIHR funding and support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Clinical Research Network East of England (now the NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network) and NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme.