SOUTHAMPTON will be at the forefront of the battle against cancer after plans for a world class research centre were approved.

Planning permission for the new Centre for Cancer Immunology, (artist’s impression pictured) which will be the first of its kind in the country, has been officially granted.

The University of Southampton says work on building the £25m new centre at the city's general hospital will begin “as soon as possible”, and it could open its doors next year.

As previously revealed in the Daily Echo, experts in the city are leading the fight against cancer, and say they are on the verge of a major breakthrough.

Using ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment, cancer sufferers’ immune systems will be used to tackle cancer cells.

Experts are effectively training “Killer T” cells to recognise and destroy affected cells in a treatment that could also provide future protection against cancer.

Treatments have been developed to combat aggressive forms of cancer, including those affecting the lungs and skin, and say the results from clinical trails are “very promising” with more than 20 per cent of those who took part now living cancer-free.

•  Anyone wanting to donate to “The cure for cancer? You’re it” campaign can find out more at southampton.ac.uk/youreit or text YOUREIT to 70660 to donate £3.

Work to develop the treatment will take place at the new centre and will bring together some of the world’s leading experts.

Centre director Professor Tim Elliott said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for the new centre. We will be working with the hospital to ensure there is minimal disruption and hope to have the building completed in 2017.”

He added: “The university has a long-standing track in innovative immunology research with a strong ‘bench to bedside’ approach.

“This new centre will enhance our expertise and expand the progress of research teams."

“The next few years will see great advances in immune therapies for cancer with the University of Southampton at the very forefront of discovery.”

The campaign to raise funds for the centre continues, with the university saying it is 75 per cent of the way to the £25m target.

One of the donors who have contributed to the campaign, Matthew Hodgson from Warwick Capital Partners LLP, said: “The creation of a world-leading centre will not only reinforce collaboration and exchange of ideas but it will also attract the greatest minds in the field.”

Featuring laboratories, facilities for patients and offices, the new centre will be built opposite the hospital’s main entrance and will replace the current disabled parking spaces, which will be relocated elsewhere on the site.