Glioma Neurosurgery Research Group

• FutureGB trial: We have been funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) with additional support from Brainlab and Medtronic to perform a prospective, multicentre randomised controlled trial in 357 patients over 27 months to find out whether additional imaging tools available in surgery make a positive difference to quality of life for people with fast-growing brain tumours who have surgery. You can read more about the trial here or in the paper protocol.
• Surgical approaches and techniques: We are actively evaluating the effects and benefits of surgery for patients, including survival prognosticators in elderly patients (Zorman et al 2022) and the role of early re-operation for residual enhancing disease (Ma et al 2018).
• Endoscopic minimally invasive brain tumour surgery: We perform endoscopic minimally invasive surgery to remove brain tumours. This minimises tissue damage when surgically accessing deep-seated tumours using computer-guided endoscope cameras. We are also developing new techniques locally in collaboration with Prof Zhong You at the University Department of Engineering. Recent publications: McKinnon et al 2020, Ma et al 2018a, Ma et al 2018b, Ma et al 2016.
• Imaging: Functional and Diffusion MRI: We are testing whether specialised MRI brain imaging techniques that measure brain activity and connectivity can accurately predict the risks of surgery to important skills such as language and memory. Recent publications: Voets et al 2022, Voets et al 2021, Voets et al 2017.
• Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: We have developed 3T, ultra-high field (7T) and whole-brain techniques to measure the chemical characteristics and the spatial extent of tumour processes, to help us understand tumour growth and transformation. Recent publications: Shen et al 2019, Berrington et al 2018, Steel et al 2018, Emir et al 2016. 
• Tissue Metabolomics: We have developed new methods to analyse chemicals (metabolites) in tumour cell lines and tissue biopsies, in collaboration with the University Department of Chemistry. These new approaches are helping us to identify unique tumour signatures that may help us better classify tumours, predict patient prognosis, understand treatment resistance, and ultimately, tailor treatment.
• Raman Spectroscopy: we are investigating whether Raman spectroscopy can provide rapid real-time, accurate intraoperative identification of tumour boundaries for maximal tumour resection. Recent publications: Livermore et al 2020, Livermore et al. 2019

Our lead neurooncology neurosurgeon and colleagues are taking the 3-peaks challenge (climbing 3 peaks across the UK in 24 hours) this September (2022) to raise £100,000 for brain tumour research via the charity Brainstorm. If you'd like to contribute, please find the link to their justgiving page here.

You can contribute to our research via the Oxford Brain Tumour Research Fund, or to our new Charity, Brainstorm.

The FutureGB trial in Jun 2023 have recruited 179 participants, reaching 50% of the study target!  Thank you to all our study teams, industry partners and most importantly, patients and their families!

A patient's perspective: Brain Tumour Research.org has  published interviews with patients including those who have taken part in our research. You can read their story here.

2nd Oxford fibre dissection course: This year we again hosted 12 consultant neurosurgeons over March 27-28, 2017, coinciding with the Society for British Neurosurgeons conference this year in Oxford. Thanks to generous support from Brainlab and Severn and exceptional external speakers including Prof. Hugues Duffau and Dr Pablo Gonzalez, the course was a phenomenal success. Consultant neurosurgeons wishing to attend, please contact Mr Plaha for details on next year's course.

Awake Neurosurgery video: Mr Plaha provides a step-by-step description of awake neurosurgery to the BBC (warning: surgical content). Video kindly provided by BBC Wiltshire on their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/BBCWiltshire/videos/632578940244900/

Oxford Brain Tumour Open Day: This joint NDCN/Oxford Cancer Research Centre one-day event in November 2015 involved tours of our research and clinical facilities with presentations by Olaf, Puneet, Uzay and Natalie. Over 50 people attended the event and 100% of respondents felt that the event had improved their understanding about brain tumours and what is being done to improve diagnosis and care in Oxford. Read more...

Surgical course on fibre dissection for surgeons: March 2016. Our UK's first subcortical 3D anatomy and white matter fibre dissection course for consultant neurosurgeons ran from March 21-23 with generous support from, and in partnership with, Medtronic. Please check back soon, or contact the course director Mr Puneet Plaha for details on dates for the next course in 2017.  

Funding award: August 2013. We are extremely grateful for a generous donation from the HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust to help us undertake research into advanced brain imaging for tumour surgery.