Women’s Health Team gets rare look at life-changing research
Specialist solicitors in our Women’s Health Team got a behind the scenes look at research funded by Wellbeing of Women to change the health of women from cradle to grave.
We had the rare opportunity to tour laboratories, meet researchers and hear about the latest treatments being developed at Kings College Hospital wing at Guys Hospital. They are groundbreaking, life-changing and life-saving, and I explain them later in this blog.
Why the visit mattered
Since 1964, Wellbeing of Women has invested more than £75 million in vital research across all areas of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health. Many of the tests, treatments and cures we take for granted today started with research that they funded.
Its extensive research is focused across a woman’s life course and includes period problems, pregnancy and childbirth issues including preterm birth, gynaecological cancers, and menopause.
At BBK we are passionate about working with organisations who seek to improve women’s health and have worked with Wellbeing of Women for many years, seeing first-hand the incredible difference its research has made. We want to do all we can to help the charity continue its important work to promote issues affecting women’s health, which is always underfunded and under prioritised.
Wellbeing of Women invests in world-class research, champions education, raises awareness and tackles the taboos that exist in women’s health, influencing guidelines, policy and practice and empowering women to advocate for themselves.
Behind the scenes at the lab
During the insightful laboratory tour we had the incredible opportunity to see the incredible research being developed to improve women’s health and meet the exceptional people behind the research too. To see it in action, where real medical and scientific groundbreaking changes are happening through Wellbeing of Women’s important research, was inspirational.
Wellbeing of Women researches in areas of unmet need and supports the next generation of promising researchers. We felt very privileged to connect with the people behind the research.
You can read more about the pioneering research work and advances made in women’s health here.
Research presentations from the day
We heard presentations from three researchers whose following work is being funded by Wellbeing of Women:
Dr Sophia Karagiannis
Development of Novel Ovarian Cancer Antibody Therapeutics with Enhanced Immune-Stimulating Functions
We know through our own work acting for those with late or missed diagnosis of ovarian cancer how it is very difficult to treat.
Dr Sophia and her team are determined to change this. The key, as Dr Sophia presented, is around looking at antibodies and immune cells. Dr Sophia and her team are using their wealth of expertise in allergies and immunology to see how medical science can be tailored to treat cancer cells. This could really turn the table on ovarian cancer.
It was wonderful to hear how much is being invested and researched into how to improve survival rates and treatment when late stage diagnosis often has a poor outcome.
The first antibody for ovarian cancer has now been approved. Allergy IgE is used in the same way as an antibody by recruiting immune cells to destroy cancer cells. This innovative treatment will avoid toxicity often experienced with other treatments.
The initial trials are showing exciting and positive success: there was a reduction in CA125 in the phase 1 trial within two weeks of infusion which is encouraging.
Mov18 is the name of this breakthrough drug, which is designed to stimulate the immune system in a way not previously used in ovarian cancer treatment. By the time ovarian cancer is diagnosed, immune cells are often already suppressed or shut down, limiting the body’s ability to fight the disease. This treatment aims to reactivate those immune cells and promote a stronger response against the cancer.
The research also builds on existing research on triple negative breast cancer, adapting it for ovarian cancer treatment. Although the three-year project is still in its early stages, the potential is incredibly exciting.
During our lab tour, we were fortunate to meet the PhD students working on cell engineering of Mov18 and hear more about the innovative research taking place to find new ways to treat tumours.
Ms Manouk Othof
Quercetin to prevent infection driven preterm birth
Manouk is a student whose pre-doctorate research and fellowship is being funded by Wellbeing of Women.
Her research is looking at ways to prevent infection which is a major cause and trigger of preterm birth.
She is looking at the use of Quercetin as a supplement which is a natural compound commonly found in apples and onions.
The idea is to expose vaginal cells to Quercetin as a preventative treatment taken before or during pregnancy to reduce infection and the immune response which follows and results in preterm birth. It would be similar to taking folic acid and other preventive supplements during pregnancy to reduce harm to the growing foetus and mother.
It is globally accessible, including in low resource settings, and has a significantly low cost due to it being a natural compound.
Manouk’s passion in this area was fuelled after learning only 2% of research funding goes on women’s health and she was keen to get involved to help change this.
The research is in its early days with an average of six to 10 years before it could be used widely by the public, but there is really good potential for the future.
Mrs Michelle Anderson
Exploring the Impact of General Anaesthetic Caesarean Birth on Parental Mental Health & Infant Bonding: The GABI Study
With BBK’s work in dealing with birth trauma claims I was particularly pleased to hear about Michelle Anderson’s research which actively addresses a gap in the knowledge surrounding mental health and trauma after differing methods of delivery.
Michelle’s PhD is funded by Wellbeing of Women and other organisations such as the Birth Trauma Association, whom we also closely support. Her extensive experience and wealth of years as a midwife elevate her position in being best place to address this.
The GABI study looks at the impact of a general anaesthetic caesarean section on parental mental health and infant bonding.
Her research is so very important.
By its very nature, women having GACS have often already gone through an acute emergency situation where life-saving decisions are being made under intense pressure. They are then unconscious and unable to be present for the birth of their baby. This dissociation is extremely triggering and can often leave mothers struggling to bond with a baby they haven’t seen delivered, with some even being convinced the baby isn’t theirs.
There is an element of loss of control which also has a detrimental impact on maternal and paternal mental health. Partners are also not allowed in the room when it happens either.
The GABI study is looking at ways to improve how to support families through this.
Having a GACS results in a negative birth experience and feeling of trauma, and there is an increased risk of post-partum depression. A GACS is more likely for Black women.
Unbelievably there have been no UK studies on this until now. There is no post-natal clinical guidance for clinicians on how to support GACS families.
Michelle is looking at the development of evidence-informed care pathways to address the support needs of families who experienced GACS and combining available maternity data with mental health data held in the community.
We look forward to seeing the outcomes in the future of all of the incredible research and are excited about the future of women’s health and groundbreaking medical innovations to come.
Our fundraiser
BBK is also fundraising to support Wellbeing of Women in next week’s Walk and Talk 10k event. You can support our team efforts here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/teambbkfundraiserforwellbeingofwomen?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
