The last year has been a spectacular one for research at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC), marking new heights in clinical trials, innovation and collaboration.
As one of the UK’s leading NHS research hospitals, CCC’s commitment to advancing cancer care has never been more evident, with record-breaking achievements and a growing reputation on the national and international stage.
This calendar year, CCC hit a milestone by recruiting 1,676 patients to clinical trials – an achievement that underscores the dedication of its research teams and the trust placed in them by patients. The number of new clinical trials launched also soared, with 70 studies opened for recruitment, the highest ever in a single year at CCC. These figures reflect the centre’s unwavering commitment to providing patients with access to the latest treatments and therapies.
Early phase trials, which are crucial for testing innovative treatments, saw considerable progress. In 2025, 114 patients were recruited to early phase studies, exceeding annual targets, and 23 new early phase trials were launched. Notably, CCC was the first centre in the UK to recruit patients to several pioneering trials, including cancer vaccine research where we excel, demonstrating the robustness and efficiency of its research processes.
The CCC Biobank has also grown in stature, now serving as the dedicated biobank for the Liverpool Clinical Research Facility (LCRF) and has expanded to support blood cancer research, further cementing CCC’s leadership in research infrastructure and giving researchers across Cheshire and Merseyside access to samples for their studies.
The number of papers published by research-active staff also increased, with 250 new publications by CCC colleagues, including Prof Abhishek Mahajan hitting a personal academic milestone of 500 peer-reviewed publications indexed on Google Scholar during his career.
This increased research activity has translated into financial success, with commercial income exceeding targets by 40% and non-commercial income 8% above plan. There was also a sustained level of grants, with several from Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. This financial stability is vital for sustaining and expanding research efforts and helps the Trust’s overall fiscal position.
Our surging research portfolio is underpinned by excellent staff and strong partnerships across the sub-region and country, including our collaborations in the LCRF, Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Biomedical Research Centre with The Royal Marsden, and the Cheshire & Merseyside Commercial Research Delivery Centre.
The elevation of CCC to the top tier of NHS cancer research has been driven by strong leadership, support from our Trust Board, and a culture of continuous improvement. With plans to expand clinical trials to more CCC satellite hubs and a focus on inclusivity through a revitalised Patient and Public Involvement Forum, CCC is poised to make an even greater impact in the years ahead.
Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research and Innovation Operations, said: “2025 was a truly exceptional year for research at Clatterbridge on many levels and is a testament to the hard work and planning we have put in as a research team over several years.
“As 2026 begins, I am so proud that CCC stands as a shining example of progress in NHS cancer research – thanks to the dedication of our teams, the support of our Trust colleagues and partners, and the courage of patient participants.”
