Meet our funded researcher: Dr David Clynes

Dr. David Clynes spoke to Children with Cancer UK about his research into childhood leukaemias, as well as his Paul O’Gorman Fellowship.

Setting up a program of research

I was awarded a Paul O’Gorman Fellowship through Children with Cancer UK which has allowed me to set up a program of research. It is aiming to develop novel approaches for the treatment of a subset of childhood cancers that are particularly difficult to treat, including many brain cancers. I am interested in a specific property of a cancer cell which enables them to divide indefinitely and form a tumour. More recently, I have been awarded a small project grant from Children with Cancer UK which explores the biology underpinning certain childhood leukaemias.

Breakthroughs and scientific ideas

I guess there is no typical day really, which is one of the great things about research! I strongly believe that research shouldn’t be a solitary pursuit and as such I encourage my lab to share ideas and be open about their work. I will have very interesting discussions on a daily basis. I find that breakthroughs and scientific ideas only really hit you when you discuss with others. You really need to enjoy your research and lab environment. Alongside hard work, successful becomes easy!

Treating incurable cancers

This work is important as many of the cancers I study have an extremely poor prognosis and therefore we desperately need new approaches to treating these cancers. This include many cancers of the central nervous system, including Glioblastoma Multiforme. Strikingly, this is particularly true in paediatric cases and hence my lab is funded through Children with Cancer UK where I hope to shed new light on strategies that can be used to understand and treat these currently incurable cancers.

Children with Cancer UK at the forefront

Funding basic research is absolutely paramount if we want to beat childhood cancers. Children with Cancer UK is at the forefront of providing this funding. Simply put I wouldn’t be able to perform my research without the support of Children with Cancer UK.

A new treatment approach in acute myeloid leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia is the second most common form of childhood leukaemia, with 100 children diagnosed every year in

Understanding MLL leukaemia and identifying targets which could increase survival

Dr Clynes is studying the biology of a group of hard-to-treat leukaemias. This research could ultimately lead to new treatments

Researching potential new treatments for childhood leukaemia

Advances in modern intensive chemotherapy have revolutionised childhood leukaemia treatment. Unfortunately, patients who have relapsed disease have a poor response

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