On this page you will find information about the ABS Research Development Grants
Since 2015 the ABS has awarded a number of research developent grants. The grants aim to support the following projects:
Summaries are available on this page of the progress made by the projects to date.
Information about applications for future grant rounds can be viewed here
2015
Magnetic Occult Lesion Localization (MOLL) for non-palpable breast cancer
Muneer Ahmed, King’s College London
Publications (Full manuscripts/ conference paper abstracts)
Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer (MagSNOLL Trial). Ahmed M et al. British Journal of Surgery 102(6):646-652, May 2015
Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer: initial results of the MagSNOLL trial. Ahmed M et al. Cancer Research 75(9). May 2015
A Novel application of magnetic nanotechnology for lesion localization and concurrent sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer. Ahmed M et al. British Journal of Surgery. April 2015
Optimising magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy in an in vivo porcine model. Ahmed M et al. Nanomedicine 11(4): 993-1002, May 2015
Presentations (Oral or Poster)
Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer: initial results of the MagSNOLL trial.
Presented at the Thirty-seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX
A Novel application of magnetic nanotechnology for lesion localization and concurrent sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.
Presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the Society of Academic and Research Surgery
2015
Patient Priorities in Breast Cancer Research
Cliona Kirwan, on behalf of the NorthWest Breast Trainees Research Collaborative
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Public and patient perspectives and priorities for breast cancer research (4Ps). Ballance L et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 44(6). Jun 2018
-A novel approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research. Boundouki G et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 42(5). May 2016
Presentations (oral or poster)
-A novel approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research
Presented at the 2016 ABS conference
-Setting up a public involvement study
Presented at the 2016 Mammary Fold Academic & Research day
-Funding patient and public participation in research: an alternative to traditional sources
Presented at the 2016 ASiT conference
-Non-traditional approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research
Presented at the 2015 National Research Collaboratives meeting
2015
Intra-operative rapid evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectroscopy for Oncological Martin Control in Breast Conserving Surgery – Towards an Intelligent Knife for Breast Cancer Surgery
Daniel Leff, Imperial College London & Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Real time intraoperative classification of breast tissue with the intelligent knife. St. John ER et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 42(5): S25. May 2016
-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry towards real time intraoperative oncological margin status determination in breast conserving surgery, St. John ER et al. Cancer Research 76(4S): P2-12-20.Feb 2016
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Intra-operative Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry: A Future Intelligent Knife (iKnife) for Oncological Margin Control?
British Journal of Surgery prize for best oral presentation at the 2015 ABS conference
-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry towards real time intraoperative oncological margin status determination in breast conserving surgery
Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX
2015
Can text message reminders improve uptake of breast screening? A randomised control trial
Sarah Huf, Imperial College London
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Behavioural economics and breast cancer screening: Looking beyond patient cost. Huf S et al. J Women’s Health. 28(7). Jul 2019
-Behavioural text message reminders to improve participation in breast screening: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 390(S46). Nov 2017
Presentations (oral or poster)
2016
The TeaM (Therapeutic Mammaplasty) Study – A national audit of the practice and outcomes of therapeutic mammoplasty
Shelley Potter on behalf of the Mammary Fold Academic & Research Collaborative
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-The TeaM (Therapeutic Mammaplasty) study: Protocol for a prospective multi-centre cohort study to evaluate the practice and outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty. Baker E et al. International Journal of Surgery Protocols. Vol 1, 2016, 3-10.
-Current practice and short‐term outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty in the international TeaM multicentre prospective cohort study. O’Connell RL et al. British Journal of Surgery. Vol 105, Dec 2018, 1778-1792.
-Therapeutic mammaplasty is a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction. Potter S et al. British Journal of Surgery. Feb 2020
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Current practice and short‐term outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty in the international TeaM multicentre prospective cohort study
Presented at the 2017 Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery (ORBS) meeting, Nottingham
Presented at the 2018 11th European Breast Cancer conference, Barcelona
Presented at the 2018 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Manchester
-Therapeutic mammaplasty is a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction
Presented at the 2019 ABS conference
Further grants
-The ANTHEM feasibility study: Is A Novel THErapeutic mammaplasty procedure a safe and effective alternative to Mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer?
ABS research development grant 2019
2016
An exploratory study of breast cancer initiating events in BRCA1 mutation carriers
Stuart McIntosh, Queen’s University Belfast
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Chemoprevention in BRCA1 mutation carriers (CIBRAC): protocol for an open allocation of crossover feasibility trial assessing mechanisms of chemoprevention with goserelin and anastrozole versus tamoxifen and acceptability of treatment. Campbell A et al. BMJ open. Dec 2018
-BRCA1 deficiency exacerbates estrogen-induced DNA damage and genomic instability. Savage K et al. Cancer Research. Mar 2014
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Chemoprevention in BRCA1 mutation carriers (CIBRAC): A proof of concept clinical trial
Presented at the fortieth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2017 Dec; San Antonio, TX
2016
Evaluation of margin involvement rate with Clear Edge device in breast conserving surgery for cancer
Michael Douek, Guy’s Hospital
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Novel techniques for intraoperative assessment of margin involvement. Dumitru D et al. Ecancermedicine Jan 2018
Presentations (oral or poster)
2017
Neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer (NeST) – a prospective, multicentre audit
Stuart McIntosh on behalf of the Northern Ireland Surgical Research Collaborative and the Mammary Fold Academic & Research Committee
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-The NeST (neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study- protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to assess the current utilization and short-term outcomes of neoadjuvant systemic therapies in breast cancer. Irwin GW et al. International Journal of Surgery Protocols. Nov 2019
-National utilisation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy and impact on surgical treatment – a prospective multicentre cohort study. McIntosh SA et al. Cancer Research. Feb 2020.
Presentations (oral or poster)
-National utilisation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy and impact on surgical treatment – a prospective multicentre cohort study
Presented at the forty-second Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2019 Dec; San Antonio, TX
Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham
-NEST (neoadjuvant chemotherapy: management of axilla and trials session)
Presented at the 2019 ABS conference
-Utilisation and short term outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a prospective national multicenter study
5th World Congress on Controversies in Breast Cancer, San Francisco, USA, September 2019 (oral presentation)
-The NeST (neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study
Melbourne Joint International Breast Congress, October 2018
2017
The Pre-BRA (Pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction Evaluation) Study
Shelley Potter, Chris Holcombe and Richard Jackson on behalf of the Breast Reconstruction Evaluation Network (iBRA NET)
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-The Pre-BRA (pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction EvAluation) feasibility study: protocol for a mixed-methods IDEAL 2a/2b prospective cohort study to determine the safety and effectiveness of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction. Harvey KL et al. BMJ Open. Jan 2020
-The pre-BRA study. International Journal of Surgery, Nov 2018
Presentations (oral or poster)
-The pre-BRA; Progress and how to get involved
Presented at the 2019 iBRA NET update meeting, Birmingham
-Exploring the feasibility of using mixed methods within an IDEAL 2a/2b study to facilitate the safe, transparent and efficient early-phase evaluation of a novel surgical technique: The pre-BRA study.
Presented at the Society for Clinical Trials. New Orleans, May 2019
-The pre-BRA study
Presented at the 2018 IDEAL conference, Bristol
Further grants
-One Year Royal College of Surgeons of England Research Fellowship awarded to Miss Kate Harvey (2018-19; supervisors: S Potter, N Mills, C Holcombe) £61,470
-NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Director’s Fund award (2018-2019)
2017
Pilot study towards the development of an objective evaluation of outcome after implant-based breast reconstruction using 3D-surface imaging (3D-SI) and a novel online research tool
Jenny Rusby, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Evaluating aesthetic outcome for breast reconstruction; a Delphi consensus process for expert panel assessment as a baseline for an objective aesthetic assessment tool. Godden AR et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2019.
-Reducing the Burden of Research: a Feasibility Study of a Novel Online Study Design for use in a Multi-Centre Study. Godden AR. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2019.
-Validation of the Vectra XT three-dimensional imaging system for measuring breast volume and symmetry following oncological reconstruction. O’Connell RL et al. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Jun 2018
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Evaluating aesthetic outcome for breast reconstruction; a Delphi consensus process for expert panel assessment as a baseline for an objective aesthetic assessment tool.
Presented at the 2019 ABS conference (awarded poster prize)
2018
iBRA-NET - National Audit of Magseed localisation of breast lesions
James Harvey, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Magseed
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Safety and feasibility of breast lesion localization using magnetic seeds (Magseed): a multi-centre, open-label cohort study. Harvey JR et al. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Jun 2018.
-Is the future magnetic? Magseed localisation for non palpable breast cancer. A multi-centre non randomised control study. Zacharioudakis K et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. Jun 2019.
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Shared learning event (iBRA NET localisation study)
Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham
2018
MAP-BRA Mesh sAfety Platform for implant based BReAst reconstruction study
Julia Henderson, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, MAP-BRA
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
Presentations (oral or poster)
-MAP BRA; Progress and how to get involved
Presented at the 2019 iBRA NET update meeting, Birmingham
2018
Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectroscopy for Oncological Margin Control in Breast Conserving Surgery – developing the diagnostic accuracy of the Intelligent Knife
Daniel Leff, Imperial College London
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry of electrosurgical vapours for the identification of breast pathology: towards an intelligent knife for breast cancer surgery. St. John ER et al. Breast Cancer Research 19(1), May 2017.
-Reducing the margins of error during breast-conserving surgery: disruptive technologies or traditional disruptions? Leff D et al. JAMA Surg. Jun 2017.
-Diagnostic Accuracy of Intraoperative Techniques for Margin Assessment in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Meta-analysis. St. John ER et al. Annals of Surgery. Feb 2017.
-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry of surgical vapours towards an intelligent knife for precision surgery. St. John ER et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 43(5). May 2017.
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Classification of Ex-vivo Breast Tissue using Rapid Evaporative Mass Spectrometry, Progress Towards an Intelligent Knife for Oncological Margin Assessment
Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2017
Further grants/prizes
- Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry for Examination of Circumferential Resection Margins (REI-EXCISE Trial). Grant awarded from Clinical Research Committee (CRC); (previously CTAA), Cancer Research UK. Grant total £108, 018.18.
-Sir Patrick Forrest Prize, the British Breast Group, 2018
2018
Informing best practice in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: Further analysis of the iBRA study cohort
Shelley Potter, University of Bristol
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Short-term safety outcomes of mastectomy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with and without mesh (iBRA): a multicentre, prospective cohort study. Potter S et al. The Lancet Oncology. Jan 2019.
-Adherence to best practice consensus guidelines for implant-based breast reconstruction: Results from the iBRA National Practice Questionnaire Survey. Mylvaganam S et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2018.
-Variation in the provision and practice of implant-based breast reconstruction in the UK: Results from the iBRA National Practice Questionnaire. Mylvaganam S et al. The Breast. Oct 2017.
-The iBRA (implant breast reconstruction evaluation) study: protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to inform the feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic randomised clinical trial comparing new techniques of implant-based breast reconstruction. Potter S et al. Pilot and feasibility studies. Aug 2016.
Presentations (oral or poster)
-iBRA – 18 months PROMS in national audit of implant reconstruction in relation to radiotherapy
Presented at the 2017 Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery (ORBS) meeting, Nottingham
-The iBRA and & iBRA2 studies
Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2018
-The iBRA study
Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2017
-The iBRA Study - A national multicentre prospective cohort study of the outcomes of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction
Presented at the 2017 RSTN trials day
2018
Avoiding surgery in breast cancer patients with exceptional response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy – ASTARTE Trial
Miss Fiona A MacNeill
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Avoiding surgery in breast cancer patients with exceptional response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy – ASTARTE trial. Tasoulis et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2019
Presentations (oral or poster)
-Avoiding surgery in breast cancer patients with exceptional response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy – ASTARTE trial.
Presented at the 2019 ABS conference
2018
Update of PREDICT model with a modern, national UK dataset
Professor Paul D P Pharoah
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-An updated PREDICT breast cancer prognostication and treatment benefit prediction model with independent validation. Candido dos Reis FJ et al. Breast Cancer Research. May 2017
Presentations (oral or poster)
-PREDICT vs NPI
Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham
2018
The role of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing response in breast cancer
Cliona Kirwan, University of Manchester & Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)
-Breast cancer stromal clotting activation (Tissue Factor and thrombin): A pre-invasive phenomena that is prognostic in invasion. Shaker H et al. Cancer Medicine. Mar 2020.
Presentations (oral or poster)
2019
Pilot of lifestyle InterventiON to reducE brEast cancer Risk (PIONEER): a randomised study
Jennifer Rusby, The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research
2019
The ANTHEM feasibility study: Is A Novel THErapeutic mammaplasty procedure a safe and effective alternative to Mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer?
Shelley Potter, University of Bristol
2019
Comparison of treatment allocation and outcomes of older women with operable breast cancer between England and The Netherlands
Jenna Lee Morgan, University of Sheffield
2019
Predicting radiation toxicity in patients undergoing oncoplastic breast surgery – the clinicians’ perspective
Tim Rattay, University of Leicester
