Scottish swimmer and brain cancer campaigner Archie Goodburn has secured government commitments to review progress in brain cancer research, appoint a national clinical lead and improve access to trials and emerging treatments.
The 25-year-old met Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper at Downing Street after making an emotional appeal for greater action. Goodburn, who was diagnosed at 22 with three inoperable oligodendrogliomas after experiencing seizures and numbness during training, said his three main requests had been promised “to some extent”, although details still needed to be settled.
The expert review will be led by Professor Anthony Chalmers and report within three months. It will examine what has changed since a 2018 government review and identify barriers still slowing progress. Its findings will inform a national action plan intended to move treatments from laboratory research into patient care more quickly.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has also been asked to complete its review of rules for rare-condition medicines within two years instead of three. Patients, families and charities will help shape a campaign to increase participation in clinical trials, with Cooper due to lead discussions involving researchers, clinicians and charities.
It also announced plans to work with Cancer Research UK next year to bring global experts together for a brain tumour conference and said £25 million had been allocated in January to an NIHR brain tumour research consortium.
Goodburn’s campaign followed concerns about limited investment and the difficulty of turning laboratory discoveries into accessible clinical trials. Figures cited before the meeting showed that £26. 2 million was invested in brain cancer research in 2023-24, with £6. 8 million coming from government funding. Earlier reporting also documented his use of vorasidenib through an expanded-access programme, which delayed chemotherapy and radiotherapy and allowed him to continue competing.
Government ministers described him as an inspiration, while brain tumour charities welcomed the commitments and said the next test would be whether they produce meaningful improvements for patients and families.