Barts adult centre
This centre is one of the UK’s largest and most academically productive cancer centres, combining an academically-led trials unit and a cancer research delivery group.
Centre overview
Our Barts adult experimental cancer medicine centre (ECMC) leads internationally in drug development, with a particular interest in immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates and biomarker research.
The centre has a particular focus on improving equity of access to clinical trials. Covering around 2.5m people in north east London, it serves one of the most diverse populations in the UK, as well as receiving referrals nationally.
The team includes an academically led trials team that develops and manages investigator-led and academically sponsored clinical trials, alongside a cancer research delivery group that is responsible for the recruitment and clinical management of Barts Health NHS.
Expertise
breast cancer
genitourinary cancers
thoracic cancers
gastrointestinal cancers
head and neck cancer
translational biomarkers
novel combination therapies
Patient population
Between 2024-2025
5,730
5,730 new cancer cases within the NHS trust
9%
9% were recruited onto cancer trials
Key contacts
Peter Schmid - Centre co-lead
Peter Schmid is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Centre and Chair of Cancer Medicine at Barts Cancer Institute (BCI). He is an honorary consultant medical oncologist and academic breast cancer programme lead at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and BCI. As one of our leads, he oversees early-phase trials focused on immunotherapy, innovative designs and circulating biomarkers.
Thomas Powles - Centre co-lead
Thomas Powles is a Professor of Genitourinary Oncology and Director of the Barts Cancer Centre. His research focuses on developing biomarkers and new drug strategies in urology cancers and has resulted in EMA and FDA approval of several cancer therapies. Thomas also leads the European treatment guidelines for bladder and kidney cancer.
Peter Hall - Centre business co-lead / Patient and public involvement lead
Peter Hall is a consultant medical oncologist at St Bartholomew's Hospital and an honorary senior lecturer at this centre. He is the patient and public involvement lead, with a particular interest in improving diversity and inclusion in clinical trials.
Charlotte Ackerman - Centre business co-lead
Charlotte Ackerman is the clinical trial operations manager who leads the investigator-led early-phase oncology clinical trials unit at Barts Cancer Institute. With a PhD in translational oncology in urological cancers, Charlotte is the translational lead for Barts ECMC and the ECMC Bladder Cancer Network Group.
Contact details
Barts Cancer Institute
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
In network collaboration enquiries:
If you're already part of the network and would like to get in touch with this centre about working together, contact them directly.
Email bartshealth.ecmc@nhs.net
Trial sponsorship enquiries:
If you're interested in running an early-phase oncology study within the network, please contact us through our partnering form instead.
General enquiries:
Contact the programme office for general enquiries about working with this centre or our broader network.
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