All about
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
How you’re helping scientists like Aanzi harness technology to diagnose patients faster
The big 4-0 Why supporter Wes is taking on a year of challenges
In safe hands
Meet the first patient in the new Endoscopy Suite
Welcome to the latest issue of Progress, where you can read about how your support is driving forward the digitisation of the histopathology service at The Royal Marsden. This is laying the groundwork for the development of personalised treatments, including innovative work using artificial intelligence.
We also feature the new Endoscopy Suite in The Royal Marsden’s Oak Cancer Centre, a facility which was built thanks to your support. This service offers a range of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, expanding on the service already offered at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea.
There are also stories from our fundraisers, such as Wes. He is taking on 40 challenges in a year to mark his 40th birthday.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Antonia Dalmahoy Managing Director, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
Breast cancer patients
Emma Campbell and Hasna De Four, with Hasna’s daughter Hadassah
Ralph Lauren and the Charity celebrated 10 years of partnership in October last year. Highlights have included the opening of the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden in 2016, which was funded by supporters of the Charity, including a generous donation from Ralph Lauren. Last year also saw the opening of the Ralph Lauren Research Wing in the Oak Cancer Centre, which will support researchers to develop new treatments.
Royal Marsden patient Hasna De Four said: “Being on a trial led by the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research has given me precious time with my family, which I am so grateful for. I have been able to become a grandmother for the first time and I am able to see my family growing up each day.”
THE EVER AFTER GARDEN, which lights up Grosvenor Square in Mayfair each winter with more than 25,000 illuminated white roses, raised over £418,000 for the Charity in 2023 – the most successful year so far. It was opened by actor Bill Nighy (left) in November.
The garden was inspired by the late production designer and art director
Michael Howells, whose work included the film Ever After, after which the garden is named. His friends, fashion designer and Trustee of the Charity Anya Hindmarch CBE and fashion writer Camilla Morton, created the garden as a haven for everyone everywhere to treasure loved ones. Visit royalmarsden.org/garden to dedicate a rose in the 2024 garden.
On the cover: Aanzi Albert, Biomedical Scientist. All photographs taken at The Royal Marsden were shot in accordance with infection control guidelines
Research from The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has found that artificial intelligence (AI) could be twice as accurate as a biopsy at grading the aggressiveness of some sarcomas, providing vital information at an early stage to better guide treatment.
The RADSARC-R study, supported by Charity funding, focused on retroperitoneal sarcoma, which develops in the back of the abdomen and is hard to diagnose and treat. Researchers used CT scan data to create an AI algorithm that could accurately grade how aggressive a tumour is likely to be 82 per cent of the time, while
Also in this issue
“Digital pathology is a new frontier in cancer diagnosis and treatment”
just 44 per cent were correctly graded using a biopsy, which is currently standard practice.
Study lead Professor Christina Messiou said: “We’re incredibly excited by the potential of this technology, which could lead to patients having a faster diagnosis and more personalised treatment. We hope this tool will eventually be used globally, ensuring that not just specialist centres can reliably identify and grade the disease.
“In the future, this approach may help characterise other types of cancer. By refining the algorithm, this technology could one day improve the outcomes of thousands of patients each year.”
“I was extremely impressed with the Oak Cancer Centre and all the staff”
The PACE-B trial has shown that an advanced type of radiotherapy can safely deliver treatment for some prostate cancer patients in as few as five sessions, with minimal side effects.
The breakthrough study, led by Professor Nicholas van As at The Royal Marsden, compared long-term bowel and bladder side effects for patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) – which allows clinicians to target tumours with sub-millimetre precision – with those having standard radiotherapy.
It found that patients can be treated just as effectively using fewer, higher doses of radiation as they can with lower doses delivered in around 20 sessions over several weeks. Side effects were similar with both treatments. Using SBRT, patients can be spared numerous trips to hospital, allowing them to get back to their lives sooner.
PACE is an umbrella of trials supported by Charity funding. The Charity also funded two CyberKnife radiotherapy machines that are used to deliver SBRT.
“It’s the right time to give something back and say thank you”
Your support is funding exciting new ways of improving diagnosis and delivering personalised treatments for patients, including the use of digital pathology and artificial intelligence
Pathology is a vital service at The Royal Marsden. Through blood tests, biopsies, samples and many other types of investigation, it is possible to diagnose cancer, determine its precise type and severity, decide on a treatment approach and monitor a patient’s progress.
Among the range of specialties that make up this service is histopathology, where patients’ tissue samples are processed and examined, enabling an accurate diagnosis to be made. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is helping to drive forward the digitisation of this service, which will
increase the team’s diagnostic capacity while also supporting groundbreaking research being carried out at the hospital.
What is digital pathology?
Tissue samples are usually examined on a glass slide, using a microscope and a highly trained eye. But it’s now possible to convert physical slides into digital images using scanners. These high-resolution photos
“With Charity support, we’ve been working with AI for many years”
can then be viewed and analysed on a computer screen.
Uploading slides onto powerful computers means images can be shared much more easily with colleagues around the world and expertly analysed alongside other data, such as scans. As well as enabling collaboration, storing slides digitally frees up laboratory space and protects slides against any potential damage or loss.
Digitising pathology images is crucial because it helps to uncover new information, patterns and clues that are not visible to the naked eye, such as levels of key cancer proteins, the presence of mutations or a tumour’s individual genetic signature. Gathering more insights about specific types of cancers will then help to develop personalised treatments for patients that are more effective.
The Charity is funding the latest equipment, software and infrastructure to support this transition and establish The Royal Marsden as a global leader in this area.
With computers increasingly able to undertake complex problem-solving tasks, artificial intelligence (AI) is an exciting development for oncology.
“At The Royal Marsden, with support from the Charity, we’ve been working with AI for many years,” says Ana Ribeiro, AI Transformation Lead. “This includes building and testing AI algorithms aimed at improving the treatment and care of patients and developing a robust infrastructure, supported by specialist roles and equipment, to harness the technology.”
The Charity-funded Radiology and Artificial Intelligence Research Hub, co-directed by Professor Christina Messiou and Professor Dow-Mu Koh,
brings together scientists and clinicians to develop AI tools that can be applied to patient treatments in the clinic. By developing AI algorithms that can read medical images, such as CT or MRI scans, better than the human eye, clinicians can uncover more information about the subtype of cancer present or its aggressiveness.
This innovative work, alongside the creation of a huge database of
digital pathology images from new and historical slides, will enhance our knowledge of certain types of cancer, which in turn will help to guide and tailor treatment.
The Integrated Pathology Unit Transforming the histopathology service also supports research being carried out by the Integrated Pathology Unit (IPU) at The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR).
Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the ICR, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden and the ICR, the unit is at the forefront of the emerging field of digital pathology.
Under the leadership of Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez, the team is harnessing the combined power of digital pathology and AI. The aim is to open up new possibilities, such as being able to diagnose patients more quickly or precisely, or predict how they might respond to treatment.
Digitised pathology images are a key part of the IPU’s research, as AI can be used to detect wider patterns and deeper levels of information in them.
Work at the IPU is already supporting clinical trials at The Royal Marsden and the ICR that are investigating cancer at the
molecular level, including those focusing on upper gastrointestinal cancers, melanoma and breast cancer. The IPU team’s analysis of vast quantities of information gathered as part of these trials provides researchers with more comprehensive results, which can help transform patient care. “Digital pathology is a new frontier in cancer diagnosis and treatment,” says Professor SaltoTellez. “Our IPU is combining state-of-the-art laboratory techniques with innovative computing tools, driven by international experts in biology, pathology and computer science.
“A strong digital pathology diagnostic service with a comprehensive digital database is a foundation stone to opening up many more avenues for our research, so we can enable cancer patients to live longer and better lives.”
We need your help to fund essential equipment, including a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stainer. This vital piece of equipment processes around 100,000 pathology slides a year.
The H&E stainer automates the sample-staining process, which makes cells visible. It allows cellular and tissue structure to be viewed in detail, enabling the detection of any abnormalities that may indicate cancer.
Crucially, this machine runs overnight and doesn’t require constant supervision, freeing up the team’s capacity while producing high-quality stains that can then be digitally scanned. This means that patients can get their test results as quickly as possible – and the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance that it can be cured.
Please visit royalmarsden.org/ equipment to find out more and donate today, or call 020 7808 2233
We speak to the Clinical Research Fellow about her work to help improve early diagnosis for people at higher risk of developing cancer
What is your role at The Royal Marsden?
I’ve been working at The Royal Marsden as a Clinical Research Fellow for more than four years, and I’m also a medical oncologist. I worked in the Oak Foundation Drug Development Unit, followed by the Sarcoma Unit. Now, I’m part of the Early Diagnosis and Detection Centre, working in collaboration with the Cancer Genetics Unit. My role involves working with my team to carry out clinical trials, as well as recruiting suitable patients to take part in studies. Funding
“My team and I are aiming to improve the early detection of cancer”
from the Charity supports my role and is crucial in helping us run our studies, as well as helping our research team to grow.
What is the focus of your work?
My team and I are aiming to improve the early detection of cancer in those who are at high risk of developing the disease during their lifetime. I’m focused specifically on developing a blood- or urine-based test, which could potentially detect tumours in people who don’t have any cancer symptoms.
What is your typical day like? My day usually involves a lot of collaboration with statisticians and laboratory staff. I can be collecting data for analysis or running investigations that are needed
as part of our clinical trials, such as collecting samples. I also attend genetics clinics, where I meet and assess new patients at higher risk of developing cancer due to an inherited gene, identifying those who may be suitable to participate in our studies.
What research are you currently involved in?
I’m working on SIGNIFIED, led by Dr Angela George, Clinical Director of Genomics and Consultant Medical Oncologist in Gynaecology. The trial monitors patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome – a rare hereditary condition that puts people who have it at higher risk of developing several cancer types due to an inherited alteration in a gene called TP53. Patients with this gene mutation, who have been recruited to the trial from across the UK, receive two wholebody MRI scans annually at The Royal Marsden to help detect cancer sooner.
Already, we are seeing confirmed cases of cancer in patients who are asymptomatic. Without the trial, these cases wouldn’t have been detected and can be fatal in later stages.
The SIGNIFIED study is supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and funding from the Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI)
“I felt like I was in safe hands”
The Oak Cancer Centre – built thanks to amazing supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – includes a new Endoscopy Suite within the Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre
The new Endoscopy Suite in Sutton is enabling The Royal Marsden to see more people with potential symptoms of cancer – which helps clinicians to diagnose cancers at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Michael Brook, 65, from Croydon, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and, last year, became the first patient to be seen in the new Endoscopy Suite, located in the Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre in the Oak Cancer Centre. He had a colonoscopy as part of his diagnostic tests.
First patient procedure
“When I had my initial diagnosis, we discussed my history of ulcerative colitis,” says Michael.
“Although I had been clear of symptoms for years, the medical team recommended a colonoscopy as a precautionary measure.
“Results from the colonoscopy and a subsequent biopsy has meant that surgery was decided as the next best step for me rather than radiotherapy, as this will hopefully lead to a better outcome.
“The receptionist told me the team were all excited as I was their first patient. They made me feel like I was in safe hands – the care and attention I received during and after the procedure was brilliant.”
Michael was full of praise for the Oak Cancer Centre, which was built thanks to supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
“It’s a no-brainer for people to continue fundraising for the Charity to support the hospital,” he says. “I was impressed with the Oak Cancer Centre and all the staff. It’s an incredible building and everything looks so state-of-the-art.”
Maria Dalumpines, Lead Nurse in the Endoscopy Unit, says: “The new Endoscopy Suite is an exciting addition to the services
“The care and attention I received during and after the procedure was brilliant”
already available and will significantly improve our ability to see people with suspected symptoms of cancer, especially improving the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.
“We’re now able to deliver high-quality diagnostic, screening and surveillance endoscopy in Sutton. We’ve had such positive feedback from patients about the quality of the service.”
Ellin Goodson, a Senior Healthcare Support Worker in the Endoscopy Suite, has also experienced The Royal Marsden as a patient, having been treated in Sutton seven years ago following a breast cancer diagnosis.
She says: “I know how important it is for patients to feel reassured and be treated in the best possible environment with access to the most modern technologies and facilities. Being in the Oak Cancer Centre really is making a huge difference for staff and patients.”
Thanks to you, the Charity has been able to fund state-of-theart equipment for the Endoscopy Unit, such as an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) device.
EUS combines ultrasound technology with endoscopy to produce detailed images of the inside of a patient.
This is particularly crucial for cancers that are difficult to diagnose early and often don’t cause symptoms until they have already spread. It’s essential that clinicians have the best equipment to detect cancer as early as possible to give patients the greatest chance of survival.
Find out more about the Oak Cancer Centre and how your support has helped to create this world-class facility at royalmarsden.org/oak
4-0
Charity supporter Wes is taking on 40 gruelling physical challenges to celebrate his 40th birthday
Wes Mulder wanted a fundraising challenge that pushed him out of his comfort zone. So he set himself the goal of completing 40 events during his 40th year – starting and finishing with the TCS London Marathon – and a target of raising £40,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
His motivation has been to thank The Royal Marsden for the care his son Huey received after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2017, when he was just 15 months old.
Huey was treated with chemotherapy in the Oak Centre for Children and Young People for nearly four years and has been in remission for more than three years.
Giving back
“Huey is now eight and is doing really well,” says Wes, a GP from Crowborough. “He’s just the sweetest, most empathetic little boy.
“It feels like the right time to give something back and to say thank you. All the doctors and nurses took such incredible care of Huey.
“It was tough to go through as a family, and being so well looked after by The Royal Marsden made such a difference. My wife Sarah and I are so grateful.”
Wes began his challenge by running the London Marathon in April 2023, a few weeks after his 40th birthday. “I’d run four
marathons before, but that was pre-children and not for about 10 years,” he says. “I was able to build up my training to the London Marathon and tapered perfectly to run it, but what I hadn’t quite factored in was the recovery times.
“The actual challenges themselves haven’t necessarily
Wes has competed in events across the UK, supported by family including daughter Imogen and son Huey (below)
been the difficult bit. That has been trying to recover enough to do the next event while still training. Relentless is probably the best way to describe it!”
Wes’s family – Sarah, Huey, daughter Imogen and stepdaughter Izzy – has travelled all over the country to support him as he’s completed challenges such as the Swashbuckler Triathlon in Hampshire, the Surrey Tour 100-mile bike ride and the full Ironman UK in Bolton.
“I’ve been exhausted at times, but I’m very lucky to have an extremely supportive family –
“I’ve had to do two events some weekends to make sure I get to my target of 40”
children included – who have all been great,” he says. “I’ve had to do two events some weekends to make sure I get to my target of 40, so it’s been really full-on.”
Learning to swim properly has also been a learning curve for Wes.
“I could swim but had never swum competitively before, and swimming in the sea is also a whole different experience – my first one was pretty choppy but ace,” he says. “I think the easiest one was a 1.5km swim, but that was a sea swim. The Ironman was the hardest, but also a highlight.
“It’s been an amazing year, but I can’t wait to finish and just celebrate with my family.”
Wes’s challenge is bookended by the TCS London Marathons in April 2023 and 2024. In between, he’s done three other marathons, 10 half marathons and two trail runs.
In May 2023 alone, Wes took on three iconic races: the Hampshire Hilly Hundred, the Surrey Hills Classic and RideLondon.
Although he could swim, Wes hadn’t swum competitively or had much experience in open water. He completed a 5.5km Thames swim and the 3.8km Hever Castle event.
The triathlon is one of the toughest events to compete in. Wes warmed up with a couple of sprint events before doing the full-distance Ironman UK last July.
For good measure, Wes included two challenging duathlons – the Dorney Lake Duathlon and the Gravesend Cyclopark Duathlon.
Energised by Wes and his multi-challenge mission?
Find a challenge you can take on to support the Charity at royalmarsden.org/findevent
While planning their wedding, Amar and Jasi knew they wanted to donate money to the Charity in lieu of wedding favours to say ‘thank you’ for the care Amar received after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Amar, 35, underwent four cycles of chemotherapy, under the care of Dr David Taussig, and was told he had no evidence of disease in November 2022. He and Jasi, who’d had to postpone their big day due to Amar’s treatment, were married a few months later.
“As soon as I was well enough, I said, ‘We’re getting married now, because I’ve waited long enough to marry you,’” said Amar. “The
hospital has given me an amazing second shot at life.
“We created cards for each table place at the wedding that said we had donated to the Charity, and we added a QR code for any guests who also wanted to donate themselves.”
Find
An online auction of postcardsized artworks is set to raise vital funds for the Charity this summer.
Sophie’s Postcard, which has raised more than £82,000 since 2018, is organised by Miranda Pennington from St Richard’s Catholic College in Bexhillon-Sea, in memory of student Sophie Maria Taylor, who was treated at The Royal Marsden.
Miranda said: “It is inspirational to see Sophie remembered in this way as she loved art. I am so proud to be part of this event, which has helped make a difference to children like Sophie being treated for cancer at The Royal Marsden.”
The 2024 auction will run from 21 to 30 June.
Seven-year-old Olivia Rose Taylor, who is being treated at The Royal Marsden for a brain tumour, was invited to Windsor Castle for tea with Queen Camilla last Christmas. Olivia lost her sight at 17 months old, just after her diagnosis, and is registered as blind. She has hugely benefited from the play team and Arts Programme at the hospital – services that are supported by Charity funding.
She was invited after the Queen heard that Olivia had performed with the Bexley Music Primary Choir at Buckingham Palace, which featured in the King’s televised Christmas message.
Olivia’s mum Lisa said: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Olivia to meet the royal family at Christmas. She loves singing and even gave the Queen a rendition of a few Christmas classics over tea.”
Since November 2022 Nat’s family and friends have been taking part in events to raise vital funds for charity including @royalmarsden & so far over £52,000 has been raised in her memory.
We enjoyed a Pancake Day pop up at the Wokingham headquarters to celebrate Shrove Tuesday and raise money for the @royalmarsden
Join the conversation on X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook @royalmarsden
AFTER BENEFITING from radiotherapy on the Charity-funded Cedar Linac, bowel cancer patient
Francis Maguire (pictured) took part in the RideLondon 100-mile cycle, raising £3,000.
“I wanted to set myself a challenge while I was ill – something to keep me motivated and fit,” said Francis. “I also wanted to support the Charity as a way of giving something back.”
Find out more at royalmarsden.org/ridelondon
It’s not too late to join supporters like Leanne on The Banham Marsden March this spring. Book your spot today!
There’s still time to sign up for The Banham Marsden March on Sunday 12 May, when thousands of our supporters will be walking between The Royal Marsden’s Chelsea and Sutton sites. By taking part in either the five-
“I feel so passionate about raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity”
or 15-mile option, you’ll be helping to transform the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.
For those who can’t be there in person, The Banham Marsden March at Home is a fantastic alternative, offering the chance to complete your own route and distance in your local area.
Cervical cancer patient Leanne Robinson took part in The Banham Marsden March
for the first time in 2023, raising a fantastic £700. She has signed up to take part again this year.
“It was such a lovely event –the atmosphere was incredible,” she said. “Although 15 miles is a long way, it’s completely achievable. I took part with my mum and brother.”
Leanne became a patient at the hospital in 2021 under the care of Dr Susan Lalondrelle. She went on to have robotic surgery under Mr Thomas Ind using the da Vinci robot, which was funded by the Charity. A month later, she received her first clear scan, which showed no evidence of disease.
However, in the summer of 2023, Leanne started having intense pain and was readmitted to The Royal Marsden, where it was discovered that her cancer had returned. She has since restarted chemotherapy.
“I think it’s important for people to realise that when The Royal Marsden comes up with something new and brilliant, this is also benefiting other cancer patients, not just those in their hospital,” said Leanne.
“That’s why I feel so passionate about raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – its support is helping so many people like me. Funding research is lifesaving – it gives people hope.”
Inspired? Sign up to The Banham Marsden March or The Banham Marsden March at Home at royalmarsden.org/march
If you’re looking for a memorable challenge, why not combine fundraising for the Charity with a trip of a lifetime?
Chilli Ayeni was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, an early breast cancer, after being referred to the Rapid Diagnosis and Assessment Centre at The Royal Marsden.
Following successful surgery, she took on the Great Wall of
Chilli Ayeni on the Great Wall of China challenge
China challenge and raised more than £2,000 for the Charity.
“After signing up, and in my more sensible moments, I had lots of self-doubt and kept questioning my abilities,” said Chilli. “My mind was trying to talk my heart out of it, but I knew in my heart that I had to do this.
“I really wanted to do something amazing for The Royal Marsden because I am just so grateful.”
Kilimanjaro Summit Climb
Take the less-travelled Lemosho Route to the summit above the clouds in this tough but rewarding challenge.
Inca Trail Trek
Discover Peru and head for the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu via the rarely visited Lares Valley.
Sahara Desert Trek
Spend five days uncovering the epic views and fascinating communities of the Moroccan Sahara.
Find your next challenge event at royalmarsden.org/ findevent
treatment and for saving my life,” said Keith.
“Everyone has been so wonderful throughout my treatment. I also wanted to help the hospital carry out research in the future.
Leaving a gift to the Charity in your Will helps support the hospital’s lifesaving research. Keith and his wife Ros (left) decided to leave a gift following his treatment for myeloma at The Royal Marsden.
“It was another way of saying thank you for the fantastic
“It’s great that the Charity provides a free Will-writing service – it made the decision for me.
I was impressed with how easy the process was and I’m proud to have left a gift in my Will.”
Find out about leaving a gift in your Will at royalmarsden.org/wills
Your gift can help fund our life-saving research that will make a vital difference to cancer patients long into the future.
To find out more about our Free Will Writing Service, visit:
royalmarsden.org/freewill giftsinwills@royalmarsden.org
020 7808 2233
