Title: The Haematological Malignancy Research Network: a UK population-based programme of epidemiological research - studentship
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background Arising in blood and lymph forming tissues, haematological malignancies are the fourth most common cancer among men (after prostate, lung and bowel) and women (after breast, lung and bowel) in the UK. With diverse aetiologies, treatments, and outcomes, more than 100 subtypes are currently recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The UK’s population-based Haematological Malignancy Research Network (www.hmrn.org) was specifically established to study these cancers which, due to their diagnostic complexity, are difficult for many population-based cancer registries to fully capture and characterize. Embedding high quality population-based epidemiological, clinical and biological research within the framework of NHS clinical practice, HMRN’s multifaceted patient cohort has not been, and probably cannot be, replicated elsewhere in the world. Major strengths include its large well-defined catchment area, world-class diagnostics, completeness of case ascertainment, adherence to national treatment guidelines, and detailed follow-up of every patient; all of which combine to ensure that HMRN’s patient cohort is not affected by the data quality issues faced by many population-based cancer registries. Aims To deliver high quality research on all aspects of the epidemiology of haematological malignancies; ranging from their distributions and causes, through to their prognosis and the determinants of outcome. Methods Covering a catchment population of around 4 million with a similar socio-demographic structure to the UK, HMRN’s patient cohort currently contains over 36,000 patients (aged 1 week to 102 years), and accrues more than 2,400 new diagnoses each year. HMRN’s legal framework permits routinely compiled NHS health data to be collected on all patients diagnosed with a haematological neoplasm in the study area, without explicit consent. Within HMRN, all haematological cancers, including progressions and transformations, are coded to the latest WHO ICD-O3 classification by clinical specialists at a single fully integrated haematopathology laboratory. Individuals enter the cohort on the day of diagnosis and their molecular diagnostic and prognostic data are then linked to clinical parameters, treatment and response, as well as nationwide information on mortality, cancer registration, and Hospital Episode Statistics. How the results of this research will be used HMRN’s maturing longitudinal data, coupled with its capacity to adapt to changing diagnostic and treatment categorizations, provides an unparalleled, real-world contemporary resource to address emergent questions of concern to researchers, clinicians, commissioners/regulators, policy makers and patients. In addition, the population-based evidence produced will contribute to NHS decision-making; national cancer statistics; UK clinical guidance and policy decisions; as well as patient and public information.


Research activity codes: 2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION;2.6 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (AETIOLOGY);4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS