Following the first call for funding applications to the Bath International Research Funding Schemes 2015/16 academic year, we are delighted to announce the winner of São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) Funding is Dr James Turner.
Dr Turner from the Department for Health is furthering collaborative research with colleagues at Universidade de São Paulo (USP) into predicting survival in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Around 85% of the cases are classified as 'non-small-cell lung cancer'. This diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage of the disease and therefore has a poor prognosis. It is important to identify patients most at risk of poor clinical outcomes so that their treatment can be tailored accordingly.
Dr Turner's research, titled 'Establishing robust predictors of treatment outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer', aims to:
- identify patients at risk of poor treatment outcomes using sensitive and robust measurements of physical functioning
- examine possible mechanisms underlying relationships between physical functioning and disease progression
The potential outcomes of this research could lead to direct measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness being incorporated into current clinical practice. This could subsequently inform the design of treatment regimens for patients.
Dr Turner said: "I am very pleased that the International Relations Office at Bath and FAPESP are happy to support my collaboration with Dr Patricia Brum at the University of São Paulo.
“Scientists and clinicians continue to make advances in the design of new therapies for treating cancer, but there should also be a greater emphasis on understanding whether the physical characteristics of patients, and measurements of their lifestyle, can inform treatment practices."