Tower Hamlets student uncovers ground-breaking cancer research

AN East End student has won an award for his research into breast cancer therapy. Claudio Raimondi who is studying at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in Whitechapel was awarded the Emerging Investigators Poster Prize. Through

AN East End student has won an award for his research into breast cancer therapy.

Claudio Raimondi who is studying at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in Whitechapel was awarded the Emerging Investigators Poster Prize.

Through the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, which is part of Queen Mary University, the PHD student has been researching a specific molecule which could be used to slow down the growth of breast cancer or prevent tumours spreading.

Claudio's project found that the molecule would be able to block the activity which triggers the process metastasis - the spread of the disease from one organ to another - which is the main cause of death in cancer patients.

There are currently no effective treatments which exist for metastatic breast cancer.

Claudio had to give a review and a five-minute presentation before he could claim the award at the Breast Cancer Campaign research 2010 conference.

He said: "It is an exciting area of research and could have significant impact for people with metastatic breast cancer

"Further work has to be accomplished in order to collect all the experimental data needed to allow the transition to clinical trials.