Potential treatments for an aggressive form of cancer are now being investigated by researchers at Keele University. 

Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of blood and soft tissue cancer which most commonly affects those aged 10 to 20 years old and is known for its tendency to spread quickly. 

Now a new research post at Keele will focus on finding the specific cause of why the disease spreads so rapidly through the body. 

The research is being carried out by Elliot Bramwell, a PhD candidate in Life Sciences and recipient of the Royal Society of Biology's Top Student Award. 

Elliot said: "The combination of chemotherapy and surgery has improved the survival rate in patients with localised Ewing sarcoma, however, the prognosis for patients where the disease has spread is unfortunately quite poor. 

"Typically, 40 to 50 children in the UK suffer from it every year and the cancer has already spread from its original site to another part of the body in approximately a quarter of patients at the time of diagnosis.

"The relatively low incidence levels as a percentage of the overall population, means that funding for potential treatments is limited. 

"We believe that the research can deliver real benefits to patients with Ewing sarcoma in the future."

The research post is being joint-funded by cancer research charity Brightwater Research and Keele University. 

Brightwater Research was established in 2020 with the primary intent of advancing research into Ewing sarcoma and potentially, in the longer term, identifying new and valuable treatments.

Keele University is a sponsor of Stoke Nub News.