Leicester adult centre

This centre provides access to early‑phase oncology, haematology and therapeutic prevention trials through the Hope Cancer Trials Centre, the only dedicated cancer‑specific unit in the Midlands.

Centre overview

Our Leicester adult experimental cancer medicine centre (ECMC) has developed a robust infrastructure to deliver early-phase trials, including first-in-human studies, in collaboration with other NIHR infrastructure within the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust.

Serving one of the most ethnically diverse populations in England and Wales, the centre actively addresses equity of access by researching trial participation among underserved groups. It also has an outstanding industry collaboration record.

The centre specialises in therapeutic prevention, including the COLO-PREVENT trial platform, cancer detection and recurrence through ctDNA, personalised treatments for mesothelioma and B-cell malignancies and preclinical drug and biomarker discovery models.

Expertise

therapeutic prevention trials
first-in-human trials
biomarker-driven clinical trials
circulating biomarkers
patient-derived explant technology
inclusive and accessible cancer research and treatment

Patient population

Between 2024-2025

3,800

3,800 new cancer cases within the NHS trust

10%

10% recruited onto clinical trials

Key contacts

Harriet Walter - Centre co-lead

Harriet Walter is an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Leicester and Director of the Hope Cancer Trials Centre. She has established a portfolio of early-phase oncology and haematology clinical trials and leads the cancer early-phase portfolio. Her research is focused on precision medicines and immunotherapeutics in the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

Karen Brown - Centre co-lead

Karen is the Director of Leicester Cancer Research Centre and leads Leicester ECMC’s Cancer Prevention Group, focusing on developing and translating preventive cancer agents for high-risk populations. She co-chairs the UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network and sits on the Cancer Prevention Europe Consortium steering group.

Amy King - Centre business co-lead

Amy King is the Operational Director for the HOPE Cancer Trials Centre at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and leads the delivery of early- and late-phase cancer trials, alongside translational research across the NHS and University partnership. Amy has over 20 years' experience in research delivery and oversees research operations, governance and workforce development.

Susann Lehmann - Centre business co-lead / Patient and public involvement lead

Susann Lehmann is a Translational Research Manager at the University of Leicester, managing the development and delivery of the Leicester ECMC translational research programme. She partners with research and operational teams to maximise scientific and clinical impact, supports network-wide collaboration and coordinates patient and public involvement and engagement and outreach activities.

Contact details

University of Leicester

College of Life Sciences

School of Medical Sciences

Division of Cancer Sciences

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building

Leicester

LE2 7LX

Centre email:

ecmc@leicester.ac.uk

Programme office email:

ecmcadmin@cancer.org.uk