• Translate the strong basic science in Cambridge to clinical applications;
• Better use of currently available treatments;
• Experimental therapeutics;
• Molecular imaging;
• Molecular diagnostics and prognostics;
• Genetic predisposition & identification of high risk groups.
• The Cambridge ECMC will be looking for success along its programmes:
  • Clinical cancer genomics and molecular pathology:
    development and validation of novel prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, glioblastomas and renal cancer.
  • Cancer bioinformatics:
    significant contribution to NCRI Informatics Initiative by linking JCIS, CancerGRID and molecular profiling data and becoming a CaBIG partner
  • Molecular and functional imaging:
    establishment of 3T MRI methodology for cancer imaging and introduction of molecularly-targeted contrast agents for DCE-MRI
  • Early phase clinical trials:
    becoming a Key Centre in 2007 and development of PD-endpoints for at least one novel compound every year
  • Pharmacogenetics:
    becoming a national centre of expertise in pharmacogenetics of cancer therapeutics
  • Screening and early diagnosis in high-risk groups:
    establishment of research endoscopy unit as a reference centre for Barrett's surveillance

The Cambridge ECMC will build on the local strengths in genomics/molecular pathology, clinical informatics and computational biology and genetic epidemiology/screening/pharmacogenetics to become a National reference centre of expertise in these areas.