innovation Archives - Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust

Addenbrooke’s begins innovative liver cancer treatment for first NHS patients in Europe

Posted on 22 October 202516 December 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s has become the first hospital in Europe to deliver histotripsy treatment to a patient outside of a clinical trial, after being fast-tracked by the Government – marking a major milestone in NHS cancer care.

Whilst funding for the multi-million-pound system was made possible by a generous donation from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the consultant who fought to bring the system to the UK has thanked Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) for helping to get the project over the finishing line by providing funding for the first 33 patients to be treated on the NHS.

The pioneering procedure which uses ultrasound energy to destroy tumours took place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where a patient from Bedford became the first person in Europe to undergo the incisionless treatment for liver cancer.

*Dr See and the Addenbrooke’s theatre team using a degassed water bath to transmit the focused ultrasound waves to the tumour area*. *Credit: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH)*

Histotripsy uses focused sound waves to generate microscopic “bubble clouds” from naturally occurring gases present in targeted tumour tissues. The bubbles form and collapse in microseconds, creating mechanical forces that destroy cancer cells without the need for surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. With treatment taking as little as 30 minutes and usually with minimal or no pain, patients can recover quickly and spend less time in hospital, with treatment performed as a day case.

Dr Teik Choon See, consultant interventional radiologist at Addenbrooke’s, led the procedure. “Histotripsy represents a major and exciting step forward in cancer treatment,” said Dr See. “It allows us to target tumours more precisely while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, offering patients a safer and faster alternative to traditional therapies.

“What is even more promising is in some reported cases, after the sound waves break apart the tumour, the patient’s immune response may become activated and clear up some remaining cancerous tissues, showing real hope for patients.”

Thanking ACT supporters who helped clear the path for the first 33 patients to receive the treatment, Dr See said getting the project off the ground would have been ‘tricky and challenging’ without the charity’s funding, adding: “It actually helped tremendously to complete the deal and also enabled us to do cases for the NHS patients.”

Whilst this pioneering treatment is new to the UK and Europe, it is already being used in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, with the treatment expanding to Singapore.

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at ACT, said: “I’m so proud that ACT, thanks to our generous supporters, has been able to play an important role in bringing this pioneering and life-saving new treatment not only to Addenbrooke’s, but to the UK and Europe. Histotripsy gives hope to many cancer patients who now have a new, non-invasive treatment option, and builds on the already incredible work being carried out here at Addenbrooke’s by world-leading clinicians and researchers who are changing the story of cancer through early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and pioneering new equipment and techniques. ACT is proud to be playing a part in making this possible, and we’re grateful beyond words to our supporters.”

Roger Jackson, 80, from Bedford, the first patient in Europe to be treated using Histotripsy, said: “I feel privileged to be the first NHS patient and to receive this care was an amazing experience. It is impressive to think that sound waves can treat cancer, without the need for patients like me to go through intensive surgery, at what already is a stressful time. I’m hugely grateful to the team at Addenbrooke’s for their specialist care and expertise.”

***Roger Jackson from Bedford, the first NHS patient to receive histotripsy at CUH, outside a trial setting***. ***Credit: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH)***

After treatment last week, Mr Jackson was discharged the following day and is back at home. He said he is now looking forward to spending time with his family, including his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The installation of the Edison Histotripsy System at Addenbrooke’s was made possible by a generous donation to the University of Cambridge from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, a long-standing supporter of cancer research in Cambridge. The technology, developed by US-based HistoSonics, has already treated over 2,000 patients worldwide following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the destruction of liver tumours in 2023.

Roger Jackson’s treatment is the first histotripsy procedure to take place after the equipment was granted Unmet Clinical Need Authorisation (UCNA) in Great Britain enabling time-limited, controlled early access to the Histotripsy device under the UK’s Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) pilot programme. Overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UCNA enables early market access to the medical device under certain conditions prior to full regulatory approval, meaning NHS patients can benefit from technology years earlier than planned.

With patient funding from ACT, treatment is initially being offered to selected patients with tumours from primary and secondary liver cancers. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is exploring initiatives to fund research into the clinical and cost-effectiveness of histotripsy. Further studies are underway to explore its use in other cancer types.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This marks the beginning of a new generation in cancer treatment. We are lighting the fuse beneath the technological revolution, transforming care for NHS patients.

“By slashing red tape, we’ve made sure this game-changing new cancer treatment has reached the NHS front line quicker, and I’m proud to say British patients are now the first in Europe to benefit.

“This government has streamlined approval processes to create an NHS fit for the future – protecting patients while unleashing the full potential of our scientists and NHS staff so they can deliver world-class care.”

Roland Sinker, chief executive of CUH, said: “Histotripsy represents a hugely exciting and new era of cancer innovation and care.

“With faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays, this not only reduces the strain on our hospital beds, but it also frees up surgeons to focus on the more complex cancer cases, helping to cut waiting times.

“We are delighted to be at the forefront of this new ground-breaking technology and understanding how we can treat cancer more accurately and precisely, a position we aim to strengthen further with our planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.”

The specialist hospital, set to be built on Europe’s largest life science campus, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is a partnership between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. By bringing world-leading scientists and clinical expertise together in one NHS building, the new hospital will treat patients across the East of England and will accelerate research and innovations to change the story of cancer across the UK and beyond. Find out more here.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide and is raising money to help build both the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Click here to donate.

Treatment for Histotripsy

Addenbrooke’s is currently setting up a referral pathway, so the histotripsy technology can be made available to patients at Addenbrooke’s and beyond. External referrals will be considered through a consultant referral, and suitability for the treatment will be decided by medical teams based on the cancer location, size, extent and overall patient’s fitness.

No other provider is offering histotripsy in the UK at the moment.

We recommend patients speak to their consultant if they have any questions about being referred for treatment. If you already have a referral, and have further questions for the Cambridge team, please email cuh.histotripsyenquiries@nhs.net.

ACT celebrates 30-years of fundraising

Posted on 30 June 202511 July 2025 by Danni Smith

A much-loved hospital charity whose supporters have fundraised more than £150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care for Addenbrooke’s in the first 30-years of its life has pledged to be even more ambitious in years to come.

This year, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) celebrates its 30^th birthday – with a special look back at some of the ground-breaking projects it has funded.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals in Cambridge and funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.

Since April 2025 alone, ACT has invested over £1 million in a range of projects – supporting everything from cutting-edge research and AI, to rehab, mental health and wellbeing, hospital environments, and even family fun days. Since fundraising began 30 years ago, the charity has funded an impressive list of projects, mainly state-of-the-art equipment and vital research.

The charity’s impact stretches far beyond Cambridge and the East of England – funding early research that impacts beyond Addenbrooke’s. Funding comes not just from fundraisers but from individual donors as well as other sources such as grants and legacies.

Pledging to continue the charity’s impressive 30 years of impact to date, ACT’s Chief Executive, Shelly Thake, said: “It is amazing to think how far we have come as a charity since our beginning thirty years ago.”

“We were forged out of a hugely successful community fundraising group and it was the forward thinking of this group of fundraisers that brought us to where we are today after they decided that the people of Cambridge deserved the best medical diagnostics and fundraised for the first whole body CT and MRI scanner here in the city. We really do owe them so much – and would not be here today if it were not for their passion and determination.” Read more of their story here.

“We see these same qualities in all our supporters and fundraisers today who work so tirelessly, with such passion and dedication. We are incredibly proud to be part of ACT and will be forever grateful for the support of all our donors and fundraisers who help to make lives better not just for patients but also staff too.”

“We have achieved so much in the first 30 years of our life and we have even bigger ambitions for the next 30 years and beyond – including our capital campaign to build two new hospitals on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, both of which are a first for the East of England – the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH) which will be the first children’s hospital in the world to fully integrate physical and mental wellbeing as part of patient care.”

Roland Sinker, CBE, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (pictured right), thanked ACT and all its supporters for their hard work and achievements over the past 30 years.

“I always think of ACT and its supporters as the silent hero because whilst all of us here at the hospital are aware of, and incredibly grateful for, its financial support, to a patient coming to Addenbrooke’s or the Rosie for the first time, they wouldn’t necessarily be aware of how much the charity and its supporters have done to change not just patient experience at the hospital, but staff experience too.”

“They have helped fund groundbreaking research which has benefitted patients across the world and provided high-tech equipment which has provided earlier diagnoses and less invasive treatments, saving lives and thousands of pounds for the NHS as well as helping to cut waiting times.”

“The reality is that every donation made to ACT, no matter how big or small, has a direct impact on staff and patients. So for anyone who has made, or will be making, a donation to the charity that is so close to our hearts, I would like to say a special thank you. Please know that every donation makes a difference.”

This year, to help ACT celebrate its 30^th anniversary, the charity is asking supporters, new and old, to raise a cup (not glass!) and host a tea party for Addenbrooke’s.

Businesses in Cambridge and surrounding areas, served by Addenbrooke’s, are also jumping on board the birthday celebrations by launching their own special products to mark ACT’s 30^th.

Iconic Cambridge institution and bakery Fitzbillies, famous for its Chelsea Buns, launched ACT’s 30^th celebrations at their tearooms in Trumpington Street.

Co-owners Tim Hayward, a food critic and broadcaster, and partner Alison Wright, who won a lifetime achievement award in the Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024 for rescuing the 104-year-old iconic bakery and cafe, put their weight behind ACT’s 30^th because of the ‘world-class’ care Tim received after being admitted to Addenbrooke’s following a medical emergency back in Covid.

Tim was admitted to hospital in November 2020 with COVID-19 and required treatment using a ventilator and suffered a pulmonary embolism. He was discharged after a month, having spent 14 days in a coma, and later described himself as “lucky to have lived” saying: “I wouldn’t be here without the excellent staff and support of the hospital. Thank goodness for world-class care and the fantastic work of ACT. Long may it continue.”

Fitzbillies has dedicated a special window display in their Trumpington Street tearooms and during ACT’s birthday month of July, will donate £1 to the charity for every ACT chocolate cupcake sold and 20% from sales from their special afternoon and cream tea packs.

Another Cambridge favourite – Jack’s Gelato – has created a brand-new flavour of gelato to mark the special occasion. Apple Caramel Tart – representing each first letter of ACT’s name. The special flavour can be purchased online during ACT’s birthday month of July with £4 from every pint sale donated to ACT. Orders will be available for collection 10am-11pm from the Bene’t St shop between Monday August 18th and Friday August 22nd and 9am-11am on Saturday 23rd.

Business owner Jack Van Praag, who sells between 10,000 and 30,000 scoops of gelato a week, said: “We are helping ACT because we believe in the incredible work they do to support patients and their families at Addenbrooke’s. We are proud to contribute to their 30th-anniversary celebrations with a special flavour and donation from every tub sold.”

Hospital staff will get to celebrate ACT’s 30th with their annual staff BBQ on July 2nd, a milestone which this year they share with the Royal Papworth Charity.

If you would like to fundraise for ACT and host a tea party for Addenbrooke’s, you can order your pack here.

Afternoon tea party items from the ‘Addenbrooke’s collection’ can be found here.

Corporates who would like to get involved in fundraising, can get in contact by emailing corporatepartnerships@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Click here if you would like to donate to ACT

History of ACT

ACT was born out of two existing charities dating back to the 1990s.

In 1995, gifts and legacies which had been donated to Addenbrooke’s Hospital over the years were registered with the Charity Commission and managed by the hospital trust as The Addenbrooke’s Charities. Two years later, a new charity called The Fund for Addenbrooke’s was established to raise funds to support the hospital.

In 2005, independent trustees were appointed for ACT with assets from both The Addenbrooke’s Charities and The Fund for Addenbrooke’s transferring to the new trustees, thereby establishing ACT as a charity.

John Addenbrooke Lecture inspires and drives meaningful changes in healthcare

Posted on 25 September 202419 March 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

This year’s John Addenbrooke Lecture provided an evening of insightful presentations, stimulating conversations, and the opportunity to be part of a community dedicated to making a difference.

The annual event saw an exceptional line up of speakers all of whom are leaders within their field:

Dr. Ken Poole, an esteemed Academic Consultant in Rheumatology and Metabolic Bone Disease, presented his latest findings that are transforming the approach to bone health and rheumatologic care. Professor Matthias Zilbauer, Clinical Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology, shared his ground-breaking research and insights into children’s digestive health, and Sue Broster, Director of Innovation, Digital, and Improvement, discussed the innovative strategies and digital advancements driving improvement in healthcare delivery.

Click below to watch a recording of the 2024 John Addenbrooke Lecture:

The lecture, which was held at Astra Zeneca’s imposing building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, was hailed a huge success by ACT’s Director of Communications and Impact, Paul White:

“We couldn’t have been prouder of ACT and its impact following the John Addenbrooke’s Lecture. For so many of our valued supporters to be there, listening to the extraordinary talks by some of the hospital’s leaders in research and innovation, really showcased what our charity – and our supporters – can, and do, achieve across Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.”

He continued: “To hear three remarkable individuals, who between them are changing the way we treat life-limiting conditions such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and driving forward innovation that will go on to save and change countless lives, talk of how grateful they are to ACT and its supporters, and how their work has only been possible because of the people in that room, was a moment to really be proud of – and one which will motivate us to do even more going forward.”

If you would like to make a change today, and donate to ACT to help fund ground-breaking research and equipment within our hospitals, please click here. To here more about ACT’s activities sign up at the foot of our homepage.