James spoke with Prof Elliott at an event in Guernsey about the fantastic developments in the research field and how the new Centre for Cancer Immunology would be able to contribute. James was excited about the prospect of being involved in an expanding area of scientific research that could help a lot of people.
When James was studying Natural Sciences at the University of Bath, he was able to spend a placement year at a research centre, he immediately chose to work with Tim and colleagues in Southampton.
He enjoyed it so much, that he has now embarked on a PhD at the Centre, looking at the potential of using the COVID-19 virus to develop a vaccine to boost the immune system to track down and destroy cancer. He found his placement year was inspirational, he had the opportunity to work alongside great people in amazing facilities.
"My professor from Bath came to see me once and was taken aback by the facilities and equipment that I was able to use – he said I had more lab space than him! Working at the Centre for Cancer Immunology was my first option for my PhD so I’m very grateful to be able to follow that path.”
Speaking about his research, James explained that the immune system is a wonderous thing and because it is so flexible, it can target certain types of cancer. However, sadly some patients respond better than others. In poor responses patients have what’s called ‘cold’ tumours, like a Cold War, there’s not much action going on. He hopes to use a patient’s previous immunity to make these tumours ‘hot’ and respond better to treatment. He took the the COVID-19 virus, something that 94% of us have strong immunity against, and modified it to turn those existing immune defences against cancer instead.
James’s PhD is funded in part through donations from Guernsey residents to the Wessex Medical Trust and also from the University’s Cancer Immunology Fund. In addition, James has received a generous bursary from Guernsey business Healthxchange.
James acknowledged the many people have been instrumental in getting me to this point. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has supported the Wessex Medical Trust and the Cancer Immunology Fund.
“So many people’s lives are affected by cancer, but the immune system has the power to fight this horrible disease. I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to this important area of cancer research.”
As well as wanting to further immunology research, James’ PhD is also very personal to him. Both his mother and father have personal experiences of cancer. His mother Juliette received treatment for breast cancer in both Guernsey and Southampton in 2020, while his father Paul is currently receiving chemotherapy at the Bulstrode Oncology Unit in Guernsey.
Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for cancer with fewer side effects, and we need to get to a point where that is the usual treatment people have – but more research is needed to get to that point. He hopes that his PhD will go someway in getting us there. He wants to help his parents but even if they do not benefit from his research, he feels that it will help someone else’s parents, or someone else’s child or friend in the future.
Cancer does or will affect everyone in one way or another, and we must do all we can to help as many people as possible. He has watched both his parents go through rounds and rounds of treatment and get hit by this poison until either the cancer gives up or you do. Thankfully, his dad’s side effects are not too bad at the moment but that’s not the case for everyone.
