Bone Metastases Research Collective

People living with bone metastases face pain, fractures, reduced mobility, and compromised quality of life, yet research efforts remain fragmented or underfunded. The Bone Metastases Research Collective (BMRC) exists to fill this gap drive forward real change for people living with cancer.

We are planning a series of meetings and workshops in 2026, bringing together the community to share insights, foster collaborations, and drive innovation.

Sign up now if you would like to be kept up to date and receive information about upcoming events.

The Bone Metastases Research Collective (BMRC) evolved from the NCRI Bone Metastases Group, which was initiated in mid-2022 and formally established in early 2023 shortly before the closure of the NCRI. Despite the organisation’s closure, the members remained committed to working together, driven by a shared recognition of the critical gaps in bone metastasis research and the urgent need to improve outcomes for patients affected by bone metastases.

The group restructured to align more closely with its strategic priorities and formally established the BMRC. Today, the Collective brings together a multidisciplinary community of clinicians, basic scientists, engineers, early career researchers, and patient advocates. The BMRC is led by Prof. Claire Edwards, Professor of Bone Oncology at the University of Oxford, and Mr. Jonathan Stevenson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham.

Bone metastases remain widely understudied despite representing one of the most common and debilitating complications of advanced cancer. Cancers such as prostate, breast, lung, and kidney cancers often spread to bone, making them more difficult to treat.

This leads to complications, including severe pain, skeletal instability and fracture, and spinal cord compression, and a gradual loss of ability to carry out everyday activities, reducing autonomy and quality of life. This places a heavy physical, emotional, and financial burden not only on patients, but on families, carers, and health systems.

Research activity in this field remains fragmented. Funding streams for bone metastasis research are sparse, and collaborative frameworks to connect clinicians, scientists, engineers, and patient partners have been limited. This has slowed progress in understanding the mechanisms that drive bone metastases and hindered the development of new diagnostics, therapies, and care pathways.

There is a clear and urgent need for coordinated multidisciplinary action to close these gaps. By bringing together researchers and patient advocates, the BMRC aims to galvanise the field, stimulate innovation, and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with bone metastases.

We aim to make discoveries that minimize the impact of bone metastases on cancer patients by:

• Accelerating the understanding of bone metastases
• Improving treatment strategies and overall management
• Fostering collaboration among clinicians, scientists, engineers, and patient advocates
• Guiding research efforts strategically to address unmet need

We want to transform the lives of cancer patients through world-class research into bone metastases.

Key goals include:

• Earlier detection of bone metastases
• Development of more effective therapies
• Improved care pathways and patient support
• Enhanced quality of life and survival

Joining the BMRC gives you the opportunity to be part of a vibrant, multidisciplinary community dedicated to advancing bone metastasis research. Benefits of joining include:

• Shared resources and knowledge – Access cutting-edge research, data, and expertise
• Collaboration opportunities – Work with clinicians, scientists, engineers, and patient advocates
• Collective advocacy power – Amplify your voice to influence research priorities and funding
• A trusted space for innovation – Explore new ideas and approaches in a supportive environment
• Elevating patient outcomes – Ensure research translates into better treatments, improved experiences, and enhanced lives for patients