NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology Scientific Research Conference "Immunoreceptors and Immunotherapy"
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: This FASEB SRC will bring together international scientists from different backgrounds to discuss cutting-edge developments in the areas of immunoreceptors and immunotherapy. Immunoreceptors encompass an array of receptor types, including B/T cell receptors, cytokine and immunomodulatory receptors that play a central role in cancer, autoimmunity and infectious disease. Although the field of immunoreceptors is well established, there are significant growth areas that continue to drive the field forward. An important aspect of this SRC is that it encompasses the development of state-of-the-art approaches ranging from molecular biophysics (e.g. single molecule imaging) to humanized mouse models to investigate multiple facets of immunoreceptor behavior. Given the multiple recent advances in the area of cytokines and their receptors, and the relevance of this to immune responses, this topic is a new addition to the program for the 2018 meeting. In addition, immunomodulatory receptors have become key mediators and targets for immunotherapy. Immunotherapy represents one of the most rapidly expanding areas in cancer therapy and will also be included. This SRC will provide a highly interactive and collaborative environment for scientists to discuss ideas and develop new interactions. We expect that attendees from multiple backgrounds (e.g. immunologists, cell biologists, structural biologists, microscopists, translational scientists) will benefit from this meeting. Given the relevance of immunoreceptors to therapy, we also anticipate that attendees from both biopharma and academia will attend. The meeting format is designed to facilitate the active participation of students and post-doctoral fellows. In addition to recreational activities and meet-the-expert sessions, the poster sessions provide a forum for scientific interchange between junior and senior investigators. Around 16 short talks will also be selected from poster abstracts, providing many opportunities for trainees/early-stage investigators to present their research orally.


Research activity codes: 5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUK Beatson Institute Top Up Award 2018
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: This award is for essential equipment for the CRUK Beatson Institute. The Institute moved into a new building in 2007 and we have ageing equipment that needs to be replaced. The award is essential for us to do this in order to realise our strategy.


Research activity codes: 2.6 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (AETIOLOGY);4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION);5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT);6.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT EVALUATION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Full Duration Studentships - Accelerator Award A26819 "Early detection and intervention: Understanding the mechanisms of transformation and hidden resistance of incurable haematological malignancies"
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Early detection and intervention: Understanding the mechanisms of transformation and hidden resistance of incurable haematological malignancies


Research activity codes: 4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION);5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: OPTIMAM Image Database
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: The Optimam Mammography Image Database (OMI-DB) has been created to support research involving medical imaging with the aim of optimising the use of existing and adoption of new X-ray imaging technologies, including digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), for detecting breast cancers and improving early detection in the NHS Screening Programme. Research into digital medical imaging requires large-scale collection and anonymisation of images and data. This demand has led to the formation of a centralised flexible image repository which prospectively collects images and associated data from multiple sites throughout the UK, securely. Collection, annotation and storage of the images is almost fully automated and is very adaptable allowing for quick and easy expansion to disparate imaging sites.


Research activity codes: 4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: MICA: Stratification in COloRectal cancer: from biology to Treatment prediction: S-CORT
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Over 40,000 people were diagnosed and 16,000 died from colorectal cancer (CRC) in the UK in 2011. In early disease, 93% are cured by radical surgery, while current therapies have enhanced overall survival for metastatic CRC (mCRC) to ~24 months. Most mCRC patients receive standard chemo- or radiotherapy; however ~50% derive no benefit and develop toxic side-effects. Genomic, immune, and expression approaches have begun to identify distinct subgroups within CRC, refining prognosis and providing some guide in treatment. S-CORT will utilise an unrivalled clinically annotated pathological resource to go beyond the state of the art by: 1. developing new predictive tests, with a particular focus on mCRC/rectal cancer; 2. addressing precise cliniccial questions where stratification will yield practice-changing clinical benefit. FOCUS4, a biologically adaptive randomised clinical trial(RCT) in mCRC, conceived and led by S-CORT researchers is the blueprint for our stratification approach. Promising leads, based on previous work by S-CORT researchers, will be evaluated in samples from selected patients enrolled in RCTs, defining new stratifers to guide therapeutic decisions that address 4 highly relevant clinical questions: 1. Can we predict which patients will respond to oxaliplatin treatment? 2. Can we predict which patients respond to standard or modified radiotherapy (RT) strategies? 3. Does stratification in early rectal/colon cancer predict risk of invasion, thus informing either radical or organ preserving treatment options? 4. Can we develop better biomarkers to predict response to novel molecularly guided approaches in stratified CRC cohorts? Novel molecular predictors will allow better application of existing treatments, avoid toxicities of ineffective/unnecessary surgery, RT or chemotherapy, drive the evolution and introduction of new therapies, and provide potential for cost savings, thus benefitting both CRC patients and society.


Research activity codes: 5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: MICA: The exploitation of a novel image-based risk stratification tool in early prostate cancer - the Re-IMAGINE Consortium
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: For the last 50 years we have been applying PSA-Biopsy risk-stratification to men at risk of prostate cancer and we now know it is unfit for purpose. It results in the greatest burden in all oncology of over-diagnosis, over-treatment, and of missed cancers that are of clinical importance. This systematic error has biased our tissue archives, skewed our risk calculators, rendered our trials un-representative and undermined policy-making. We have shown that MRI provides almost complete correction for each error associated with the traditional PSA-Biopsy approach by identifying a distinct stratum from the wider population at risk that is closely correlated to the two strongest progression predictors - grade and volume. Encouraged by our patient/user groups within the Re-IMAGINE consortium, our aim has been to create a novel, image-based, measurable-disease endotype and to use it to risk stratify men with PCa and, as a result, improve our ability to derive prognostic information and allocate men to the most appropriate and effective therapies. We will achieve this by creating unique cohorts, each defined by the presence of a specific MRI-derived endotype that will provide clinical, molecular and radiological inputs into a progression model that will be specified to predict disease status, radiological, clinical and metastatic progression. During this process, insight into the key mechanistic events that drive progression will be available to us for the first time. Machine learning algorithms from the radiology-pathology annotated training data sets will inform computer-assisted diagnosis. Our 12 commercial partners (that have created biomarkers to risk-stratify, predict and prognosticate) are excited about the opportunity that Re-IMAGINE provides to refine their performance by means of enhanced precision and, in addition, create new risk models that integrate MRI-derived radiomics with their improved proprietary offerings.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Biotherapeutics Development Unit (Clare Hall)
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: The facility is a 2000m2 standalone unit with 300m2 of clean room. The clean rooms are segregated by 6 separate air handling units to provide suitable segregation for multi-product manufacturing campaigns. There are 2 isolators for sterile fill-finish. Other laboratory space provides the facility for process development, scale-up and quality control testing, as well as secure cold storage of interim and final product and raw materials.


Research activity codes: 5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: The role of pelvic examination in primary care in diagnosing gynaecological cancer
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Survival from gynaecological cancer is poorer in the UK than many other countries. GPs have guidelines to help them diagnose gynaecological cancer more quickly but they don't always follow them and in particular it isn't known whether an internal vaginal examination by the GP before referral to the hospital makes a difference to patient outcomes such as survival. This project will: • Review existing literature • Determine if internal vaginal examination improves the outcome for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancerI • Interview GPs, practice nurses, hospital consultants and women to understand the benefits they think come from undertaking an internal vaginal examination and explore what helps or hinders internal examinations taking place. Internal vaginal examination is one of the most invasive examinations a patient has to undergo. At the moment we don't know if it makes a positive difference to women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. This project will answer that question.


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Use of unscheduled care in the last year of life by people who die from cancer
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: People who are dying from cancer often experience unpleasant and distressing symptoms. Out-of-hours they access ‘Unscheduled Care’ via the General Practice Out-Of-Hours (GP-OOH) service and Accident and Emergency (A&E). Unscheduled care by unfamiliar clinicians can lead to negative outcomes, including disjointed and sometimes contradictory care, patients being over-or under-treated, and unwanted admissions to hospital. This study will examine unscheduled care use by every adult who died from cancer in NHS Tayside from 2012-2015. We have data about these people’s cancer, what medications they are prescribed and on every clinical encounter they have had with GP-OOH or A&E in their last year of life. By linking these datasets together we can see how often and why people dying from cancer use unscheduled care. Once we understand this we can make recommendations to reduce people’s need to use unscheduled care in their last year of life and improve overall service provision.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Validating and improving serum biomarkers for liver cancer surveillance
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death. For effective treatment, liver cancer must be detected early; however at this stage it is often asymptomatic. Surveillance via imaging alone is suboptimal and often supplemented by serum biomarker measurements. Absolute cut-off values for biomarkers at a population level are too inaccurate for widespread use. Previous work localised Lothian data indicates that individual-based changes of biomarkers aids in the early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. We will analyse additional larger datasets using state-of-the-art biostatistical approaches to optimise and validate automated serum biomarker analysis to improve early diagnoses.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Drug-repurposing screen for new therapeutic options in chronic and acute myeloid leukaemia’s
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are two types of blood cancer. Treatment resistance and disease relapse in both CML and AML are linked to the presence of leukaemic stem cells (LSCs). We and others have shown that LSCs are characterised by an unusual energy metabolism, distinct from normal haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Unfortunately, very few clinically viable metabolism-specific inhibitors are available today. In this pump-priming project, we propose to conduct a drug-repurposing screen to identify compounds targeting the energy metabolism of LSCs, to uncover treatments for AML and CML patients that have established clinical safety-profiles.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: A natural experiment using Scottish clinical data to estimate the real-world effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Furthermore, it is not known for what problems and for which patients video-consultations may be suitable, if they will convey more useful information than telephone consultations, if they are safe, or if they will result in time efficiencies for clinicians and patients.


Research activity codes: 6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Personalised risk information and it impacts on informed choice and intention to undergo colonscopy in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: This early phase study will inform a full-scale randomised control trial (RCT) to evaluate uptake of colonoscopy for Scottish Bowel Screening programme participants. Screened participants with detected faecal haemoglobin (blood in their stool sample) would be randomised to received personalised risk information based on their age, gender and haemoglobin concentration; or to treatment as usual i.e. a postive/negative test result based on 2% positivity (i.e. the proportion of screened individuals with a positive result) The best methods to present this information will be determined by this study. Treatment arms would be compared on level of informed choice achieved, uptake and results of colonoscopy and satisfaction with the decision made. Thus we will assess the impact on colonoscopy services and whether informed choice can inproved patient outcomes/satisfaction and save lives. The intervention could be low cost to deliver at scale and thus prove cost effective for introduction within the national screening programme.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Improving the rate of bystander CPR in deprived communities: a development study
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant health problem in Scotland with approximately 3,000 resuscitation attempts each year. Survival is only 6.4%, with those in the more deprived quintile of the population (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 1) twice as likely to suffer an OHCA, but 43% less likely to survive compared with those who are least deprived. The most important modifiable factor affecting survival is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander. Bystander CPR more than doubles the likelihood of survival, but occurs only around 40% of the time, and least often in the SIMD 1 quintile. In 2015 the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s OHCA strategy with a key aim to improve survival by increasing rates of bystander CPR. The proposed study will contribute to that aim by developing a strategy to ensure that communities who most need increased CPR rates will be targeted. We will accomplish this by designing an evidence based intervention to improve the rate of bystander CPR in deprived areas using a social marketing framework (applying commercial marketing tools to create health behaviour change) and social network theory. Research design includes a systematic review and a range of qualitative methods with key partners and stakeholders.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Increasing uptake of bowel cancer screening; development and trial of a FIT planning support tool
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Scotland, accounting for over 1,500 deaths per year. Screening can reduce deaths from bowel cancer if the people invited participate. The challenge is that high uptake is hard to achieve, and remains persistently below 60% in Scotland. A new bowel screening test (FIT) will be introduced in 2017. This proposal aims to increase uptake of the FIT by developing and testing a low cost planning support tool. Planning support tools have been successful in increasing physical activity and medication adherence, and in reducing smoking and alcohol use. This research will develop a planning support tool for bowel screening by: (i) identifying the key barriers and solutions people invited to complete the FIT experience (Studies 1&2); (ii) designing a user friendly FIT planning support tool by synthesising the results of Studies 1&2 with existing studies showing the effectiveness of planning support tools in other contexts, and working with the public to ensure the tool is relevant to future users (Study 3); (iii) testing the developed FIT planning support tool in a randomised trial (Study 4).


Research activity codes: 4.3 INFLUENCES AND IMPACT
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Understanding And Addressing Ethnic Variations In Cervical Cancer Screening In Scotland
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Cancer of the cervix can largely be prevented by cervical screening, yet in Scotland in 2015, 379 women were diagnosed with, and 116 women died, from invasive cervical cancer. Our work has shown breast and bowel screening participation in Scotland varies by ethnic group: we now wish to document to what extent this is the case for cervical cancer screening, and develop interventions to support the NHS in offering screening in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways. We will (1) describe patterns of attendance to cervical screening by ethnic group using anonymised linkage of cervical screening and self-reported ethnicity in the 2011 Census; (2) obtain the view of ethnic minority populations about barriers and facilitators to cervical screening; (3) summarise the evidence in the scientific literature; and (4) design new more inclusive ways of offering screening to women, with input from ethnic groups, the NHS, the Scottish Government, and relevant charities.


Research activity codes: 4.4 POPULATION SCREENING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: A Pilot Trial of the Mini-AFTERc intervention to manage Fears of Cancer Recurrence in patients with breast cancer
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Patients with breast cancer report high levels of fears of cancer recurrence (FCR) and show increased health service use, over-frequent self-examination, depression and reduced quality of life. This research will assist cancer patients to manage their FCR levels following their initial treatment. A psychological intervention, AFTER, has been shown to be effective in reducing severe levels of FCR [1] and we have preliminary tested a shortened version (Mini-AFTERc) [2], for delivery by breast cancer nurses via telephone (BCN) to people with moderate FCR. We have undertaken: manual development, initial feasibility testing, measurement validation (using a mobile-phone system), fidelity assessment and breast cancer nurse acceptability via survey and interviews. We intend to run a pilot trial of the Mini-AFTERc in four Scottish cancer centres. Aim is to test: recruitment, retention, training and supervision of model delivery, intervention uptake, centre randomisation, evaluation system and decision to go to a full clustered randomised trial.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Characterising the role of CXCR2 signalling in colorectal cancer metastasis
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cancer in our population. Half of the patients who die from the disease do so because their cancer has spread to other organs. At the moment surgery is the best way to treat cancer that has spread to the liver, although this is not an option for most patients. Cancer specialists have been trying to improve treatments by tailoring therapies based on the genetic make-up of a cancer. Knowing which genes are mutated in a patient’s cancer enables scientists to predict what therapies might treat their cancers better. Certain cancers are known to express proteins that lead to aggressive disease and do not respond well to current therapies. Cancer is reliant on a number of different factors to survive and thrive in other organs. My previous work has focused on immune cells, including neutrophils that are associated with the cancer and play a role in helping cancer spread. These cells interact directly with cancer cells, creating a suitable environment for successful cancer growth. A cell receptor CXCR2, has been proven to play a key role in migration of neutrophils to sites of spread in other cancers and these support cancer cell multiplication by protecting the cells from clearance by the patient’s immune system. Our group has previously shown CXCR2 is important in generating tumours within the colon. The aim of my work is to assess the role of CXCR2 signalling in generating spread of colorectal cancer. I will determine which patients would benefit most from CXCR2 directed treatments. I will develop a laboratory platform for testing these treatments before trial in humans. I hope to provide evidence for targeting CXCR2 in colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver with the ultimate aim of making more of these tumours amenable to surgery.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS