First Funding Announcement

We are excited to announce that Transcend Sarcoma has allocated £25,000 of the donations raised to date, to fund a research project led by Dr Nischalan Pillay (Sarcoma Biology and Genomics Group Leader) at the UCL Cancer Institute.

The first project we have chosen to support focuses on understanding the role of a rare type of cancer protein caused by two pieces of DNA becoming fused (fusion gene or translocation) to each other. The new fusion protein has properties that cause cancer and is only found in tumour cells and not in normal healthy cells. This research is part of a larger initiative aimed at developing and testing a new class of drugs known as ‘Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras’ (“PROTACs”). These innovative drugs are designed to degrade the fusion proteins, thereby killing the cancer cells and leaving the healthy cells unharmed. This approach offers the potential to develop groundbreaking treatments for sarcomas driven by translocations. 

The project is being carried out by a PhD student, Christie Davies, under the supervision of Dr Rob Sellar (Targeted Protein Degradation Group Leader) and Dr Pillay. This vital research is also being supported by charity partners, Sarcoma UK and the Edward Showler Foundation.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without each and every member of the Transcend community. Whether you donated, attended an event, took on a fundraising challenge, or helped spread the word. You’ve proven that when a community unites for a common cause, incredible things can happen.