AMMF Spotlight on Research 2025

“Our AMMF funded research is trying to understand how inflammatory liver disease can cause cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to develop. We want to understand why some cells in the bile duct become CCA, whilst others do not.

By understanding the nature of these high-risk cells, we hope to find ways to either detect them early or develop ways to prevent them from becoming cancerous. We are particularly interested in people with chronic liver diseases such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) who have a high risk of CCA.

We have detected some of the earliest signs from cells that are becoming cancerous and have identified a protein called COX2 which is an important part of this. We are now investigating whether preventing COX2 activity in these cells could prevent CCA.

In the long-term, we hope that our research can result in ways to reduce the risk of people with PSC from developing CCA”

“The AMMF grant has greatly supported our team’s research which is developing tests to detect cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an early-stage and inform us which treatments may work well for an individual. Testing for cancer in blood or urine is challenging because any signs of the disease are extremely small in size, and low in quantity.

We have engineered a test which can detect CCA, HCC, and chronic liver diseases even when the biological signs of the diseases are very scarce, we are confirming that the test is accurate and effective by using samples from patients. Our goal is for this test to be able to support earlier diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and predict how individuals will respond to treatment.

AMMF’s grant funding has been essential in enabling us to develop this test and bring it closer to clinical use”

“Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) can be difficult to treat effectively with chemotherapy because the tumour cells interact with other cells and molecules around them and form an environment that supports the tumour’s growth and protects it against treatment. AMMF funding provided critical support in our discovery that the molecules TWEAK/Fn14 have an important role in shaping the environment around CCA tumours.

Building on this foundation, we are using samples from patients’ CCA tumours in the lab to grow mini-tumours that incorporate elements of the tumour environment. We are then testing new and repurposed treatments directly on the lab-grown tumour cells. This approach has the potential to identify more effective treatment options and understand which treatments might be most effective for individual patients”.

“Our research team is committed to discovering some of the ways that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) tumour cells grow and spread; in order to find better ways to treat this disease, we aim to find more effective and tailored therapies. In recent years, our team has discovered that the molecules thrombosponding1 (THBS1) and thrombosponding2 (THBS2) are found in higher quantities around iCCA tumours and that they contribute to progression and spreading. Developing new treatments to target these molecules therefore presents the possibility of slowing the growth and spread of iCCA.

Our study is using advanced genetic tools to “switch off” THBS1 and THBS2 in cancer cells, to see how it affects their growth and spread. Our ultimate goal is to develop these into a treatment that we can test to see whether it can safely reduce tumour growth and metastasis (spreading). We hope this could be a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to current treatments”.

“With your support AMMF is funding vital research throughout the UK and internationally, with the aims of improving diagnosis, treatments, and survival of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

AMMF has a vital, niche role within the research funding landscape for cholangiocarcinoma. We regularly fund early-stage research which often would not secure support from other sources. With our seed-funding grants, researchers can explore and test new ideas, generating the essential evidence they need to go on and secure additional funding.

We are proud to support researchers when they are early in their careers, to nurture their continued interest in cholangiocarcinoma. Since AMMF was founded in 2002, the charity has supported a number of people who have gone on to become leading global experts in the disease.

In addition to funding clinical research investigating the mechanisms of cholangiocarcinoma and exploring ways to improve treatment, AMMF also commissions and funds important data projects, such as the work summarised in our 2024 Rethink Liver Cancer White Paper. By understanding trends in incidence, diagnosis pathways, and treatment rates, we can influence how healthcare services are delivered and improve outcomes.

All the essential research funding awarded by AMMF is possible due to the generosity and dedication of our supporters. We always strive to ensure the funds raised and donated to us are used as effectively as possible to achieve the greatest impact. Thank you”