Masonic donation will help University find new treatments for prostate cancer

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) has pledged £211,632 over a five-year period, to facilitate three PhD research studentships at the University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.

The University will contribute £45,000 towards research costs.

James H Newman OBE, the Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Masonic Charitable Foundation has recognised the importance of the prostate cancer research being conducted in the heart of our Province at the University of Bradford.

“We are only too well aware that prostate cancer is more likely to affect men of a certain age and, as a good number of our members fall under this category, finding ways of treating those with advanced forms of this deadly disease is to be welcomed.

“As a West Riding Freemason and a past Chairman of the Masonic Foundation, I am incredibly proud that funds raised by our members is being put to such valuable use.”

Targeting tumours

The PhD studentships will be named ‘The Masonic Charitable Foundation Bradford Clinical Scholars’ and will look at improving the efficacy of existing therapies for prostate cancer, as well as developing new treatments.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer – one in six UK males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and more than 11,000 people die from the condition each year.

Prof Sherif El-Khamisy, head of the ICT, said: “The generosity of the MCF will fund research into the development and testing of specific treatments for advanced prostate cancer, such as hypoxia-activated prodrugs, which are specifically designed to target prostate tumours. This will improve prognosis, enhance quality of life and ultimately save lives.”

University Vice Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for this donation. This investment in PhD studentships will enable our world-renowned Institute for Cancer Therapeutics to support the next generation of researchers.

“We have a long-standing partnership with both the MCF and the West Riding Masonic Charities, which has resulted in significant funding for many aspects of the ICT’s research. This has included donations towards equipment and staff salaries, as well as this most recent gift towards PhD research.”

About the Masonic Charitable Foundation

The MCF is funded entirely by freemasons and their families. It was created in 2016 as an amalgamation of four separate Freemason charities. 

It provides support for freemasons and their families and also provides grants for local and national charities. The MCF awards grants of more than £5m per year. Medical research funding is focused on PhD studentships through medical research organisations. This aims to improve detection, treatment, and services for those affected by degenerative diseases, as well as support the next generation of researchers.

Other areas of support include disadvantaged children and young people, socially isolated and lonely older people, and hospices. Further information can be found here: https://mcf.org.uk/. 

Summary of PhD research

In total, three PhD students will be supported over five years (with staggered start dates). Building upon the ICT’s track record in prostate cancer research and expertise in pro-drug development, the proposed doctoral research projects intended for clinicians entering into the field of research, focus primarily on improving the efficacy of existing therapies and developing new treatments for men living with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. The first PhD recruited will work on the development of hypoxia-activated prodrugs to treat aggressive prostate cancer.

Key statistics courtesy of Cancer Research UK

• There are around 52,300 new prostate cancer cases in the UK every year, that's more than 140 every day (2016-2018).
• In males in the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer, with around 52,300 new cases every year (2016-2018).
• Prostate cancer accounts for 27% of all new cancer cases in males in the UK (2016-2018).
• Prostate cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer cases in females and males combined in the UK (2016-2018).
• There are around 11,900 prostate cancer deaths in the UK every year, that's 32 every day (2016-2018).
• In males in the UK, prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death, with around 11,900 deaths in 2018.
• 1 in 6 UK males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.