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Director of LHNC, Professor Terry Jones, returned from a visit to India where he co-signed a letter of intent, committing to a major multinational initiative for head and neck cancer research on Monday 12th February.

The initiative between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the University of Liverpool - more specifically Liverpool Head and Neck Centre (LHNC) - will continue to build on current collaborative work and incorporate a shared research focus.

The University of Liverpool and AIIMS signed the Letter of Intent, committing to a major new UK-India initiative, in the presence of the Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare, the British Deputy High Commissioner to India, Christina Scott, and Directors of AIIMS and the National Cancer Institute.

A key part of the partnership will be the opening of a Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head-Neck Cancer (HNC), situated at the National Cancer Institute at AIIMS’ New Delhi Jhajjar Campus. This hub will mark the start of a collaboration that delivers research and education programmes to revolutionise the care of HNC patients in the UK, India and globally.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool shared this video message with the delegation during the event:

The AIIMS-University of Liverpool Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head-Neck Cancer builds upon the pre-existing collaboration and links between the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre (LNHC), University of Liverpool (UOL) and the Head and Neck Cancer unit at AIIMS New Delhi.

Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagements and Partnerships said: “We are delighted to be partnering with an institution as prestigious as AIIMS. By working together, we will have a significant impact on people lives in both our countries and globally. This latest collaboration forms part of the University of Liverpool’s strategic ambitions to develop and invest in a range of important international partnerships.”

The letter was signed by:

Professor Tim Jones, Vice Chancellor, University of Liverpool
Professor M Srinivas, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Professor Alok Thakar, Professor & Head, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Head National, Cancer Institute, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Professor Tariq Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor, Global Engagement and Partnerships, University of Liverpool
Professor Terry Jones , Professor of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Liverpool, and Director of Head- Neck Centre

Currently, amongst other initiatives, the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre is home to the largest head and neck cancer study in the world – The PATHOS study, of which Professor Jones is the co-Chief investigator on this study.

PATHOS, which has recruited 1200 patients from the UK, France, Germany, Australia and the USA, will determine whether reducing radiotherapy doses and omitting chemotherapy after patient have had transoral surgery for Human papillomavirus related cancer of the tonsil or base of tongue is safe and improves the long-term effects of this type of cancer and treatment. 

Collaborations such as these between LHNC and AIIMS, will strengthen Liverpool`s position at the centre of developing world-leading, cutting-edge head and neck cancer research bringing highly innovative, new treatments to the city’s residents.

Professor Jones said: “Head and neck cancer is the seventh biggest cancer globally and with the rate of this cancer in Liverpool comparable to some of the most deprived areas of the world, the collaboration with AIIMS is something we are very excited to be part of.

“This will allow us to take our existing collaboration with AIIMS to a new level, cementing the relationship between the two most distinguished institutions in the research, translation and treatment of head and neck cancer in the UK and India, to create the AIIMS/Liverpool Centre for Translational Research in Head-Neck Cancer, for the benefit of head and neck cancer patients locally, nationally and world-wide”

More about All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
AIIMS New Delhi is one of India’s most prestigious medical schools and hospitals in India. It is the largest cancer care centre in North India drawing from a population of over 100 million and has recently expanded its cancer care and research facilities to include a new cancer Centre (National Cancer Institute NCI-AIIMS) set up in 2019. The integrated Head-Neck Clinical teams at AIIMS and the NCI are drawn from basic sciences, preclinical and clinical services and enjoy leadership status nationally with regard to research publications, research funding, basic and translational research, and clinical care provided.