Professor Turner is Consultant Medical Oncologist and Head of the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden and Professor of Molecular Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. He has received the Translational Research Award by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
What is the ESMO Award for Translational Research?
The award is given annually to an oncology professional who has made a significant impact in cancer research throughout their career and is internationally recognised for their outstanding contribution to translational medicine, which aims to turn scientific discoveries into actual benefits for patients.
This is the second year in a row a consultant from The Royal Marsden has won the award, with Professor Samra Turajilic receiving the award last year.
Professor Turner said: "I’m honoured to win the ESMO Award for Translational Research and hugely grateful to The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity for how they’ve supported my career."
"I feel the award recognises many advances in translation research and breast cancer treatment that have been made possible by the uniquely close collaborations we have between different teams at the ICR and The Royal Marsden, and I am especially grateful to everyone in my team. I hope our research will continue to lead to improvements in how breast cancer is treated so that patients can live longer, and with an even better quality of life."
Professor Turner's pioneering research at The Royal Marsden
Professor Turner has led several major clinical trials in liquid biopsy research for breast cancer patients. A liquid biopsy is a type of blood test which can often detect cancer months, or even years, before a tumour becomes visible on a scan, or a patient develops symptoms.
He is Chief Investigator of the TRAK-ER trial, which is studying whether liquid biopsies can predict when Estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer could return and spread, and whether precision treatments can lead to better outcomes for patients.
The trial is led by The Royal Marsden, with researchers from The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research. It is funded by Pfizer, Invitae and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity thanks to the generous support of Le Cure – a cycling event where supporters tackle some of the Tour de France’s toughest Alpine climbs to raise money for breast cancer research at The Royal Marsden.
Trial specific lab work is also taking place at the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research at The Royal Marsden. The Centre was funded by supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, including a generous donation from Ralph Lauren.