£225,000 donation complements £744,000 grant to investigate the earliest stages of cancer spread at Queen Mary University of London

22 December 2025

While cancerous tumours at primary sites are curable, when cancer spreads (metastasises) to other organs it becomes harder to treat. Metastasis to other organs is a key difference between Stage 3 and 4 cancers and represents the most serious stage of a cancer diagnosis. Our current understanding of the sequence of events which leads to the spread of cancer to secondary sites within the body is limited. It is therefore critical for scientists to better understand the molecular mechanisms which trigger cancers to spread in order to better prevent it. This is a fundamental goal in cancer research, ultimately helping us to prevent cancer's progression to its most advanced stage. 

Dr Ombrato, Senior Lecturer at the Barts Cancer Institute, outlined the potential impact of the gift: 

“Identifying better strategies to treat metastatic cancer remains an urgent and unmet need. Understanding the broader effects of radiotherapy is a crucial step toward improving its effectiveness in targeting metastasis. 

Thanks to the generous support from Sarah, we will be able to significantly advance our research into how radiotherapy can be better used in breast cancer metastasis. These findings will bring us closer to our ultimate goal: developing biological therapies that can be combined with radiotherapy to more effectively impair metastatic progression. 

Receiving this support directly from Sarah and her family is deeply moving for me and my team. We are profoundly grateful for their trust and generosity, and we feel a strong sense of responsibility to honour Sarah’s legacy by conducting the very best science we can.” 

Dr Ombrato’s CRUK funded research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of metastasis formation. His lab is studying how myeloid cells, a type of blood cell, can support metastasis. Myeloid cells are crucial to our immune function, aiding in fighting infections and tissue repair. However, where cancer is concerned, their function can promote tumour growth and metastasis. A more comprehensive understanding of how myeloid cells promote the spread of cancer is vital to halt or slow cancer progression. 

Sarah’s gift complements CRUK’s award and focuses specifically on Dr Ombrato's work investigating the systemic effects of radiotherapy in breast cancer metastasis, a targeted treatment that Sarah had selected for herself. The research looks specifically at how radiotherapy influences the body’s immune system, myeloid cell behaviors, and the consequences this has for metastasis, and will enable us to make better treatment choices for patients. 

Queen Mary is incredibly grateful to Sarah, Sarah’s family and CRUK for enabling this research project. If you are interested in learning more about cancer research at Queen Mary University, please contact Emily Pratt, Senior Development Manager (Health), at e.pratt@qmul.ac.uk. 

The BCI 
Dr Ombrato’s research highlights the strength of the Barts Cancer Institute (BCI), which brings together some of the most eminent cancer research teams in London. As part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, the BCI has one overriding objective: to conduct pioneering research that drives meaningful progress for people with cancer. More than 350 research staff and 100 graduate students focus their efforts on increasing the chances of cancer survival through early detection and diagnosis and improving patient survival through the discovery and development of more effective and innovative therapies.   

From accelerating AI-powered cancer breakthroughs by using decades of NHS cancer data, to doubling the life expectancy of patients with metastatic bladder cancer, BCI researchers consistently find themselves at the cutting edge of clinical and research excellence.  

Find out more:

• Barts Cancer Institute
• Giving at Queen Mary