News stories from 2026
Pancreatic cancer cell atlas highlights why many promising treatments fail
The most detailed atlas of tumour cells from the deadliest form of pancreatic cancer has been developed by an international team of researchers, and the findings uncover how tumour cells change their behaviour depending on their surroundings—and why many promising treatments fail in standard lab tests.
Black Sabbath legend opens new cancer care unit at Heartlands Hospital
Black Sabbath guitarist and Birmingham icon, Tony Iommi has officially opened a new £2.65 million Haematology and Oncology Unit at Heartlands Hospital, marking a major milestone in cancer care for patients across Birmingham.
Join us at our 2026 Research Showcase
University Hospitals Birmingham is gearing up to celebrate International Clinical Trials Day 2026 with its annual Research Showcase, taking place across all four of our hospital sites.
First patient in Birmingham treated with newly approved therapy for aggressive blood cancer
A 28-year-old patient from Shrewsbury has become the first person in Birmingham to receive a new personalised CAR T-cell therapy, known as obe-cel, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), since its approval for NHS use late last year.
Stripes on show for Rare Disease Day
Each year on the last day of February, Rare Disease Day brings people together around the world to raise awareness and advocate for those living with rare conditions. This year, our team from the Centre for Rare Diseases at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) marked the occasion by hosting awareness stands and ‘showing their stripes’ in the hospital’s main atrium.
Ribbon-cutting marks official opening of Heartlands Clinical Research Facility
A new Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has officially opened at Heartlands Hospital, marked by a ribbon-cutting celebration with colleagues from across the Trust.