Our impact
Our research has significantly influenced the world of stem cell transplantation, and continues to contribute to major improvements in clinical outcomes – ensuring more patients than ever before can survive and thrive.
Our world-class research institute is uniquely positioned to bring our research findings to life through our close connections with transplant centres and healthcare professionals. Our teams of leading experts mean we are regarded as one of the most influential and reliable organisations in the UK life sciences sector.
The impact made by our research is apparent through changes to clinical practice, improvements in scientific processes and infrastructure, and better outcomes for patients. We also measure the typical touchstones of publications, citations and awards.
How our research makes a difference
Because there are so many aspects of stem cell transplants that our research can influence, we can consider our impact across four main themes:
Better Matches
Finding the very best donors for patients around the world.
Our Patient/Donor Project has brought significant improvements to how patients and donors are matched for stem cell transplant around the world, including the introduction of a sixth HLA gene in patient/donor matching and contributions to our understanding of the importance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) matching in conjunction with HLA matching. The Project also provided evidence that helped us decide to lower our recruitment age to 16 – making us the first stem cell register in the world to do so. This research, the longest running research project at Anthony Nolan, continues to improve our understanding of stem cell transplants and helps us implement new strategies that could help us choose the best available donor for every patient.
The IPD-IMGT/HLA Database is a central tool in stem cell transplant matching and research globally, providing the world’s official source of up-to-date information about the HLA genes used in transplant matching. This database allows clinicians, scientists and software developers to share a common language when working on the HLA genes; a crucial aspect of ensuring the smooth running of transplant services and research around the world.
Our work in analysing the genetics of the immune system and its diversity across different parts of the world is helping us understand how to improve our donor recruitment for the benefit of patients everywhere. Research projects aim to ultimately provide more well-matched donors for patients who may not have as many options available on current registries.
Improving the Donor Experience
How we’re working to improve standards for our donors.
We are investigating new approaches to donor recruitment that could encourage potential donors to stay enthusiastic and engaged.
We’re also exploring new donation strategies which could make the donation process even easier and more efficient, and could impact how stem cell donation is performed around the world.
Our dedicated Cell Collection Centre not only gives our donors a world-class experience, but helps us conduct our own research into new donation strategies.
Surviving and Thriving
Working towards every patient surviving and thriving after a cell therapy.
We know that not everyone has the same chance of surviving and thriving after a transplant, and there is much still to be done to investigate and address this.
We’ve carried out essential research on the impact of ethnicity on stem cell transplant outcomes, which is informing our various approaches to improve transplant equity.
We’re conducting the UK’s largest ever study on quality of life after a transplant, and how this is impacted by socioeconomic factors.
We carry out specialist research into the unique experiences of children and young people, those who require financial assistance during their treatment and recovery, and others who are underserved by current care to help shape and deliver better support services.
We also fund major initiatives like the ACT network, that is helping to accelerate progress for those affected by blood cancer., that is helping to accelerate progress for those affected by blood cancer.
Cell Therapies of the Future
How we’re helping to spearhead future cell therapies.
Our researchers are looking at different cell-based treatments that can help prevent cancer relapse, transplant side-effects like graft versus host disease (GvHD), or even create off-the-shelf cell therapies that could remove the need for genetic matching.
Future cell therapies could offer more treatment options for patients, and we’re already making an impact by supporting the uptake of new cellular therapies across the UK through our campaigning work. We also directly contribute to the development of new cellular therapies through our Cell Therapy & Laboratory Services (CT&LS), where our dedicated donors can opt to provide their cells for medical research and treatments to benefit future patients.
Be part of our impact
There are so many ways to help make our research possible, and we’re keen to hear from you.
You can play a part in making our lifesaving research possible through making a financial donation. It could be the contribution that makes the difference!