'Game-changing' prostate cancer research appeal

The Prostate Project aims to fund new prostate cancer research in Guildford

A campaign is to be launched to raise £250,000 to fund a prostate cancer research project described as "game-changing" by academics.

The aim of the project, based at the University of Surrey, in Guildford, is to develop a vaccine to prevent the return of prostate cancer in men who have undergone a radical prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate.

The Prostate Project, a volunteer-led charity based at the Stokes Centre for Urology at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, has raised more than £11m to fund research into the disease since its formation in 1998.

The lives of more than 1,500 men in the UK each year could be saved by the new treatment, according to the charity.

The research team is one of the leading groups for immunotherapy research in the UK, and is recognised around the world for its work, the university said.

Academics have already proven that the vaccine works in the similar treatment of bladder cancer.

The new research is required to see if the vaccine works as effectively for prostate cancer patients, a spokesperson said.

Martin Davies, chairperson of the Prostate Project, said: "For over 25 years, we have been proud to support a team that is quite rightly recognised by their peers for their work in immunology research, and this latest initiative is perhaps the most important yet.

"We are looking to raise £250,000, a target that we recognise as ambitious but completely achievable, especially given our past record, and the significance of the potential outcome."

The funding is planned to support an initial 18-month research period.

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