Trinity College Dublin Showcases Irish Cancer Society Funding for Innovative TSJCI Cancer Research

Trinity College Dublin continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading hub for cancer research in Ireland, thanks to sustained support from the Irish Cancer Society. The latest announcement highlights four distinct projects housed within the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) that have received funding through various Irish Cancer Society award schemes. These initiatives span laboratory‑based science, clinical trials, rehabilitative care, and health‑services research, illustrating the breadth of expertise that TSJCI brings to the fight against cancer. Below we explore each project in detail, outline the potential impact for patients and survivors, and explain how interested readers can engage with the ongoing work.

Enhancing Immunotherapy Efficacy with Electric Fields for Paediatric Brain Tumours

The first project, led by Principal Investigators Eimear Mylod and Claire M. Gardiner, investigates whether Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) – a non‑invasive therapy that delivers low‑intensity alternating electric fields via a wearable cap – can be safely combined with immunotherapy approaches such as CAR‑T and CAR‑NK cells for children with brain tumours. While TTF has FDA approval for certain adult cancers, its use in paediatric populations remains off‑label. The team’s preliminary findings indicate that TTF does not compromise the viability or cytokine production of natural killer (NK) cells; instead, it appears to boost their cytotoxic activity against tumour cells. This synergistic effect warrants further pre‑clinical and early‑phase clinical studies to determine whether combining TTF with NK‑cell based immunotherapy could improve survival outcomes for young patients facing difficult‑to‑treat gliomas or medulloblastomas.

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Developing a Patient‑Centred Clinical Pathway for Managing Frailty in Older Adults Initiating Cancer Treatment

Frailty is a critical yet often overlooked factor that influences how older adults tolerate systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT). Dr Emer Guinan, Associate Professor in Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship at TSJCI, together with Elizabeth Meade – an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and recent MSc in Cancer Survivorship graduate – are leading a project funded by the Irish Cancer Society Cancer Nursing Research Award 2025. Their work began with an observational study at Midland’s Regional Hospital Tullamore, where 80% of patients aged over 65 starting SACT showed positive frailty assessments. The current phase focuses on designing a patient‑centred clinical pathway that integrates frailty screening, multidisciplinary assessment, and tailored interventions before chemotherapy begins. By engaging oncologists, geriatricians, physiotherapists, dietitians, and patient advocates, the team aims to create an evidence‑based model that can be rolled out across acute SACT hospitals nationwide, ultimately reducing treatment‑related toxicity and improving quality of life for older cancer patients.

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The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Immediately Before Infusion Therapy on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise oncology is a rapidly growing field, and the PACE‑CRC trial exemplifies how Trinity College Dublin researchers are translating laboratory insights into practical, bedside interventions. Aoife McGovern, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Oncology at Beacon Hospital, received the Irish Cancer Society Allied Health Professional Cancer Research Award 2024 to run this pragmatic study. Participants undergoing chemotherapy are randomised to either receive an educational session on staying active during treatment or to complete a supervised cycling session on an exercise bike placed in the oncology day ward while they wait for their infusion. The design deliberately minimises patient burden by embedding exercise into existing clinic workflows. Primary outcomes include changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, fatigue levels, and treatment completion rates. Early enrolment began in September 2025, and the trial is expected to deliver actionable data on whether a brief, supervised bout of aerobic exercise can safely enhance physiological resilience and improve the overall chemotherapy experience.

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Pelvic Health in Oncology: The Role of Rehabilitation

Pelvic dysfunction – encompassing urinary or faecal incontinence, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, lymphoedema, and altered bowel or bladder control – can profoundly affect survivors of prostate, colorectal, and gynaecological cancers. Dr Grainne Sheill, Principal Investigator at TSJCI, secured an Irish Cancer Society Cancer Research Networking Award 2025 to organise a dedicated educational event on pelvic health rehabilitation held at St. Luke’s Hospital in Rathgar. The gathering brought together forty clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates to share evidence‑based strategies for managing post‑treatment pelvic symptoms. Highlights included presentations on physiotherapy techniques, behavioural interventions, and multidisciplinary care pathways, complemented by a panel discussion featuring real‑world clinical cases. A patient representative described her personal journey through pelvic rehabilitation, emphasizing how targeted therapy restored confidence, reduced pain, and improved overall quality of life. The event underscored the need for accessible, specialised pelvic health services across Ireland and laid the groundwork for future collaborative research and training initiatives.

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How the Irish Cancer Society’s Investment Fuels Innovation at TSJCI

The four projects described above illustrate a deliberate funding strategy by the Irish Cancer Society: supporting early‑stage, high‑potential ideas (Seed Funding and Networking Awards), nurturing clinical‑nursing and allied‑health expertise (Cancer Nursing Research Award and AHP Cancer Research Award), and fostering translational research that bridges laboratory discoveries with patient‑centred care. By allocating resources across basic science, clinical trials, rehabilitative care, and health‑services research, the Society ensures that innovations can move from bench to bedside and ultimately to community‑wide implementation. For Trinity College Dublin, this partnership amplifies the impact of its researchers, provides essential salary and consumable support for early‑career investigators, and creates platforms for interdisciplinary collaboration that are vital for tackling the multifaceted challenges of cancer.

Getting Involved: Opportunities for Students, Clinicians, and Supporters

Whether you are an aspiring researcher, a practicing clinician, or a member of the public interested in advancing cancer care in Ireland, there are several ways to engage with the work underway at TSJCI:

• Prospective students: Explore postgraduate programmes such as the MSc in Cancer Survivorship, PhD opportunities in tumour immunology, or structured training in rehabilitation sciences. Visit the Trinity College Dublin courses portal for details on entry requirements and funding options.
• Healthcare professionals: Consider collaborating on clinical trials, contributing expertise to frailty‑screening pathways, or participating in pelvic health rehabilitation workshops. Contact the respective project leads via the TSJCI website to express interest.
• Patients and survivors: Share your experiences through patient‑advocacy groups that help shape research priorities. Your insights are invaluable for designing studies that are truly patient‑centred.
• Supporters and donors: Contribute to the Irish Cancer Society’s fundraising campaigns, such as Daffodil Day, or consider directing gifts toward specific TSJCI research programmes. Every contribution helps sustain the pipeline of innovative projects.

Learn how to support the Irish Cancer Society’s research initiatives

Looking Ahead: The Future of Cancer Research in Ireland

The continued investment from the Irish Cancer Society in TSJCI underscores a shared vision: to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific excellence, compassionate care, and evidence‑based policy. As the four funded projects progress, we anticipate peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, and ultimately, changes in clinical guidelines that will benefit patients not only in Ireland but also internationally. Trinity College Dublin remains committed to fostering an environment where curiosity‑driven inquiry meets real‑world impact, ensuring that breakthroughs in tumour biology, immunotherapy, exercise oncology, and rehabilitative care translate into tangible improvements in survival and quality of life.

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