At the research centre 50 scientists are studying why low grade tumours develop and the role the immune system might have in their growth.
David Parkinson, a professor of neuroscience at the Derriford-based research facility, said they hope to translate their knowledge into therapies for patients.
He said: “We do have one trial that’s ongoing at the moment, to repurpose anti-retroviral drugs for treatment of a tumour called a Schwannoma, but it is difficult to get things into clinic trials.
“Funding is always a issue, and that can be a frustration for us in terms of taking our basic science and what we are discovering here, and really making an impact for patients in the future.”
The research centre is home to a biobank containing about 1,000 tumour and blood samples taken from consenting patients who have undergone neurosurgery next door at Derriford Hospital.
The long-term ambition, is to one day in the future to be able to personalise treatments for particular tumour type – there are more than 120 different types – by targeting specific genetic changes within them.
Brain Tumour Research is currently funding a five-year programme of research at the Plymouth facility and estimates at the moment 75% of funding for research comes from charities like them.
Hugh Adams, from the charity, said it wanted the government to invest a similar amount into brain cancer research that it does into other cancers.
He said: “If we look at areas where we had success like breast cancer and leukaemia, which is wonderful – it’s because they put money in.”
