Doctors and scientists together against blood cancer

Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre is committed to researchers and clinicians working together in an environment that provides education for all.

Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre is at the heart of the network of OECI-accredited cancer centres in Europe and works closely with national collaborative organisations including the All-Island Cancer Research Institute. These centres are vital hubs where the traditional gaps between research and clinical care are bridged. Key to an effective cancer centre is the partnership model of teaching hospital and university research. At Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, there is integration of university research and innovation into hospital cancer care. As everyone knows, achieving excellent ‘bench to bedside’ processes is essential for producing quality outcomes for patients and this lies in close collaborations between research and clinical teams.

For Blood Cancer Awareness Month, we're focusing on one such partnership in action:

DOCTOR Professor Siobhán Glavey

SCIENTIST Dr Tríona Ní Chonghaile

Professor Siobhán Glavey, Consultant Haematologist, Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, and Head of Department of Pathology, RCSI, and Dr Tríona Ní Chonghaile, Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in Ireland and despite advances in treatments in recent years, it remains incurable. In order to advance treatments for this cancer, a greater number of clinical trials are needed.

In order to advance treatments for this cancer, a greater number of clinical trials are needed.

Dr Tríona Ní Chonghaile, leading scientist at Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre and Professor Siobhán Glavey, Consultant Haematologist, Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre and Head of Department of Pathology, RCSI, have formed a partnership to develop new therapeutic strategies. Their research focuses on novel therapeutics for treatment-resistant cancers. Using cutting-edge technologies such as BH3 profiling, epigenetic analysis and high-content imaging of patient tumours, this partnership between clinician and scientist has identified new personalised treatment options for patients with multiple myeloma.

Following on from this, new clinical trials are in development with the aim of offering personalised therapies to patients at the optimal time for them.