Barts Centre for Adrenal Studies

Disorders of the adrenal glands may develop across the whole age spectrum, from in utero to old age. Broadly speaking, adrenal diseases comprise those that lead to abnormal hormone production (either deficient or excessive) and those that lead to the formation of adrenal tumours, which in turn may be benign or malignant. Some adrenal diseases, such as primary aldosteronism, are considered a major public health issue. Others, such as primary adrenal insufficiency if undiagnosed, and adrenocortical carcinoma if unresectable by surgery, are rare but lethal.

The Department of Endocrinology at Barts Health NHS Trust has grown substantially in recent years, becoming an internationally renowned centre of excellence, linking clinical and academic staff in SMD to facilitate translational research and clinical trials. Clinical cases of great variety and complexity from the entire UK and abroad are investigated and managed within an integrated inpatient ward facility and a designated outpatient investigation unit. Paediatric endocrinology is closely integrated with the adult department’s activities, providing comprehensive care for young patients with endocrine disease.

Barts Charity’s investment will support an ambitious programme of translational research and therapeutic innovation, facilitating it into becoming the world’s leading centre for clinical care and translational research in adrenal disease in adults and children. This will impact on treatment and quality of life not only for the 1,000 patients with adrenal disorders attending our clinics annually, but also for patients with adrenal disease worldwide.

Confocal microscope image of two immunolabelled human neuroblastoma cells

Dr Paul Chapple