MORE than £3 million has been awarded to scientists at the University of York to help them continue important research into blood cancers such as leukaemia.

The money is from the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, and will be used to further develop the data collected from 10,000 blood-cancer patients in the Yorkshire region.

Professor Eve Roman, team leader at the university’s department of health sciences, said: “This project offers us a unique opportunity to guide treatment for patients and discover any genetic, environmental or lifestyle factors which may be contributing to these diseases.

“Studying blood cancer cells and DNA in patients is essential to moving treatment forward.” The university said it now had some of the most detailed and accurate information in the world from patients with blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

The five-year investment would help scientists continue analysis of the data, providing insights into what causes blood cancers, and which treatments are most effective.

Dr David Grant, scientific director at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, said: “The work of our team in York over recent years has been outstanding and we are confident that this new investment will lead to improved treatments for blood cancers, which can affect anyone of any age.”

The research is being carried out in conjunction with the Yorkshire & Humberside Haematology Research Network, which works in partnership with 14 hospitals across the region to gather information about each patient’s diagnosis, treatment course and outcome.