NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: TRISST: A randomised phase III trial of imaging and schedule in Seminoma Testis (MRCTE24)
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: To assess whether a reduced computed tomography (CT) schedule or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used as a safe and effective alternative to standard CT-based surveillance in the management of stage one seminoma testis patients without evidence of nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) elements. (http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=3820)


Research activity codes: 4.4 POPULATION SCREENING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: T-FRAG: Collection and storage of tumour and blood samples from patients with lung cancer in the FRAGMATIC clinical trial for future translational research
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: (1) Cancer Research UK is funding the 2200 patient phase III FRAGMATIC Trial, run at the Wales Cancer Trials Unit (WCTU), investigating 24 weeks of low molecular weight heparin in lung cancer. (2) FRAGMATIC assesses clinical endpoints (e.g. survival) but does not address what the precise biological mechanisms of the heparin benefit are and whether certain types of patients are genetically predisposed to benefit more on heparin. Prospectively and properly collected blood and tissue samples will allow specialist translational investigations to address these mechanisms (3) T-FRAG aims to collect a high quality set of blood and tissue samples for use by research groups with specific interests in translational research and cancer. Priority on the use of samples will be given to those investigating the response to heparin and research that relates directly to lung cancer. Researchers may investigate a host of prognostic and predictive hypotheses contained within separate proposals. (4) Blood and tissue samples will be routinely collected during the running of the trial and stored at the Wales Cancer Bank.


Research activity codes: 5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT);4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: T-SCOPE: Collection and storage of tissue and blood samples from patients with oesophageal cancer in the SCOPE 1 clinical trial for future translational research
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: T-SCOPE translational study: Collection and storage of tissue and blood samples from patients with oesophageal cancer in the SCOPE 1 Clinical trial for future translational research. SCOPE 1 is a randomised phase II/III multi-centre clinical trial of definitive chemoradiation, with or without cetuximab, in carcinoma of the oesophagus. Patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the oesophagus, squamous cell or adenocarcinoma, (considered suitable for definitive chemoradiation by an accredited multi-disciplinary team [MDT] including a specialist upper gastrointestinal [GI] surgeon), will be randomised to receive definitive chemoradiation treatment (CRT) with or without cetuximab


Research activity codes: 5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT);4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Population and Behavioural Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship: 'Analytic' and 'emotional' information processing: implications for public understanding of cancer
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Communication has the potential to be a powerful weapon in cancer prevention and control. This research investigates how people use emotional and analytical processing skills for cancer information. The ultimate goal is to discover how to design more effective cancer communications that 'engage' the public in cancer prevention and early detection. Last updated / / Background Public understanding of the potential controllability of cancer through prevention and early detection remains low. Strategies are required to encourage public 'engagement' in the cancer control agenda, which includes discovering the most effective means of communicating about cancer detection and prevention. Evidence suggests that information is processed by two separate systems: the analytic/rational system and the emotional/experiential system. Cancer education communications predominantly target the analytic system which may disadvantage people who favour emotional over analytic processing. Relevance to cancer This research will explore the balance of analytic and emotional information processing in the context of bowel cancer screening. With the recent introduction of bowel screening, this research is timely, and the underlying theory has the potential to be applied to other areas of cancer communication. Specific aims and outline plan of research The aims are: i) to quantify preference for analytic and emotional information processing modes and to explore their socio-demographic correlates in a population-based sample, ii) to examine in-depth responses to analytic- and emotion-based cancer information among people who vary in their use of analytic and emotional information processing, and iii) to examine the cognitive, emotional and motivational impact of presenting combinations of analytic- and emotion- based cancer information. Last updated 15/03/2007


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: COSMYD: A Collaborative Study of Myeloproliferative Disorders
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background The myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET) are chronic haematological malignancies associated with increased risk of thrombosis, haemorrhage and leukaemic transformation. Recently, an acquired mutation in JAK2 has been described in >95% of patients with PV and 50% with ET. Relevance Despite these advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of MPDs, management remains empiric, based on normalising blood counts with non-specific cytoreduction. The ability of pegylated-interferon to reduce JAK2 levels, and the use of this marker to monitor treatment response, may lead to a paradigm shift in MPD treatment. Aims 1. Compare clinical and molecular efficacy of conventional therapy (hydroxycarbamide) with pegylated-interferon for PV and ET. 2. Assess relationship between molecular response and clinical response in the MPDs. Plan COSMYD will randomise patients with PV and high-risk ET from UK and Europe between hydroxycarbamide+aspirin (1500 patients) and pegylated-interferon+aspirin (750 patients), with an average 4 years follow-up. The primary end-point will be a composite of: major arterial or venous thrombosis, major haemorrhage and myelofibrotic or leukaemic transformation. Secondary end-points will be molecular response rates in the two arms, and the relationship of molecular response to clinical complications. Last updated 02/04/2007 The myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are haematological malignancies with a risk of clotting and leukaemic transformation. Most patients have a mutated JAK2 gene underlying their disease, and treatment with pegylated-interferon decreases mutated cells. Our trial will randomise MPD patients between standard therapy (hydroxycarbamide) and pegylated-interferon to assess whether this reduces complications.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES;5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUK/08/004: COSTAR: A multicentre randomised study of cochlear sparing intensity modulated radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy in patients with parotid tumours
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background: .During radiation delivery for parotid malignancies the auditory apparatus is in close proximity to the Planning Target Volume and the dose to the cochlea is significant. Published data suggest a 40-60 % incidence of permanent post-radiation sensori-neural hearing loss. Planning studies have proven that Intensity Modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) offers scope for dose reduction to the cochlea. Relevance: The majority of patients with parotid cancers will undergo radiotherapy. Sensorineural hearing loss can be a disabling problem and has a significant effect of patientsÆ quality of life (QOL). Aims: To evaluate the potential of IMRT in reducing the incidence of sensori-neural hearing loss in the setting of a multicentre randomised controlled trial (COSTAR) comparing it against standard 3D-conformal radiotherapy (CRT) with sensori-neural deafness as the primary end point. Outline plan: 84 patients requiring radiotherapy to the parotid gland/bed will be randomised to receive either IMRT or CRT. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with a sensorineural hearing loss of at least 10 dB at 4000 Hz at one year post radiotherapy. Local control, survival, radiation toxicity, hearing loss beyond one year, vestibular toxicity and QOL will be assessed as secondary end-points. Last updated 02/04/2007 To determine, in a randomised controlled trial, the potential of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to reduce the incidence of sensori-neural hearing loss in patients having radiotherapy to the parotid region. Last updated 02/04/2007


Research activity codes: 6.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUK/08/002: EPHOS–B: Effect of Perioperative anti-HER2 therapy on early breast cancer study - biological phase
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: 1. Background to the proposal Experimental evidence suggests preoperative anti-HER therapy might increase apoptosis and/or lower proliferation and as such may provide a signal to predict individual patient response enabling individualisation of adjuvant therapy. 2. Relevance to cancer Surgery may have a detrimental effect on long term outcome, “protecting” patients during the perioperative period therefore needs to be explored. Evidence of short term biological effect, i.e. that changes in proliferation or apoptosis occur after 11±1 days of therapy, would provide a basis for a phase III trial evaluating the possible clinical benefits of such a strategy. 3. Specific aims of the research To determine: a) whether 11±1 days perioperative anti-HER2 therapy (lapatinib or Herceptin) increases apoptosis or decreases proliferation in early breast cancer; b) which therapy/ies should be considered for a phase III trial testing the hypothesis that starting anti-HER2 therapy pre-operatively could improve patient outcome; and c) Confirm the safety of peri-operative anti-HER2 therapy in patients subsequently getting adjuvant anthracycline chemotherapy. 4. Outline and plan of research HER2 positive breast cancer patients (n=250) will be randomised (1:2:2) to either control (nil) versus lapatinib versus Herceptin for 11±1 days preoperative and up to 4 weeks postoperative therapy. In addition to apoptosis and proliferation, tumour angiogenic markers will be evaluated, as will serum angiogenic markers measured at baseline, surgery and 28 days post surgery.


Research activity codes: 6.2 CELLULAR AND GENE THERAPIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: ESPAC4: European study group for pancreatic cancer - trial 4. Combination versus single agent adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer.
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: (1) Background Long-term survival following resection for pancreatic cancer remains poor. The ESPAC-1 trial demonstrated a significant overall survival benefit for adjuvant 5FU/folinic acid following resection. The CONKO trial also showed a disease free survival advantage for adjuvant gemcitabine. In the GemCap advanced pancreatic cancer trial, a gemcitabine/capecitabine combination demonstrated a significant survival advantage over single agent gemcitabine. These agents represent the most promising combination to compare with single agent chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting in pancreatic cancer. (2) Relevance This trial aims to improve survival for patients with pancreatic cancer. (3) Aims The aim of this trial is to compare survival following resection and either adjuvant gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine alone in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. (4) Plan Patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma will be randomised between the two chemotherapy arms 1080 patients will permit 90% power to detect at least a 10% absolute improvement in survival rate at 2 years in the combination group The primary outcome measure is overall survival from randomisation. The secondary outcome measures are: 1. Toxicity; 2. Quality of Life assessed using the EORTC QLQ C-30 v3; 3. Survival rate at 2 years; 4. Survival rates at 5 years. Last updated 03/04/2007 The ESPAC-1 trial demonstrated a significant survival advantage for post surgery chemotherapy in pancreas cancer patients compared with surgery alone. The goal of the ESPAC-4 trial is to test whether a combination of two chemotherapy agents will improve survival versus a single agent in patients following surgery for pancreatic cancer. Last updated 03/04/2007


Research activity codes: 6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUK/08/007: EuroNet-PHL-C1: First international Inter-Group Study for classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Children and Adolescents
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background to EuroNet-PHL-C1 The treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma is already very successful with over 90% of young people with this condition becoming long-term survivors. Treatment involves powerful drugs (chemotherapy) and often radiotherapy, both of which can cause long-term side effects. In this study there are two questions. Firstly we are trying to find out whether we can safely avoid radiotherapy in certain selected cases and secondly whether we can treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma just as successfully by replacing one drug (procarbazine) with another (dacarbazine). Dacarbazine is, we believe, less likely to cause infertility or early menopause in our young patients. Therefore a very important part of this study is to look at the long-term effects of procarbazine and dacarbazine on fertility. The study is open throughout Europe and aims to recruit 2000 patients over 5 years. It is the first large European collaboration for Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment in young people. Specific Aims of the Research All children and young people up to their 18th birthday are eligible for this study. They will receive two courses of chemotherapy with OEPA (prednisolone, vincristine, doxorubicin, etoposide). At presentation it is important to assess the extent of the disease (staging), in addition to cross-sectional imaging, often both MRI scans and CT scans, they will also have a PET scan. Depending upon the results of staging, which will be reviewed centrally in Germany, each patient will be assigned a Treatment group, either Treatment group 1, 2 or 3. After two cycles of OEPA chemotherapy all patients will have further cross section imaging performed and a PET scan. Depending on the results of this cross-sectional imaging and the PET scan those patients who have a good response will not receive radiotherapy. Patients in treatment group 1 will receive no further treatment, patients in treatment 2 will receive two further cycles of chemotherapy and patients in treatment group 3 will receive four cycles of chemotherapy. A decision on whether a patient from any treatment group receives radiotherapy depends upon the assessment of their response to treatment including a PET scan after two cycles of chemotherapy that will be centrally reviewed in Germany. Patients in treatment groups 2 and 3 will be eligible for randomisation between receiving a procarbazine containing regimen or a regimen which is exactly the same except procarbazine is replaced by dacarbazine.


Research activity codes: 6.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES;6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUK/08/005: CReST: The role of endoluminal stenting in the acute management of obstructing colorectal cancer (supported by the Bobby Moore Fund)
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects 35000 individuals each year in England and Wales. Uniquely amongst the common solid tumours, up to 30% of CRC's present as an emergency with large bowel obstruction. Emergency surgery has high mortality rates (15-30% vs 6% for elective surgery) and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, high frequency of stoma formation, diminished quality of life (QOL) and worse short and medium term recovery such that patients are frequently unable to tolerate adjuvant chemotherapy. Stenting of obstructing CRC has the potential to avoid emergency surgery, allow full assessment and preparation prior to surgery, and thus reduce operative morbidity, improve QOL and survival. Promising results have been reported from non-randomised studies. However, a Dutch RCT has recently suspended recruitment because of stent-related complications. We have undertaken a pilot RCT without seeing such complications but a larger RCT is required for a reliable assessment of the benefits and risks of stenting. Aims To determine whether pre-operative stenting of obstructing CRC reduces operative morbidity, length of hospital stay, rate of stoma formation and improves QOL, rates of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival. Plan To recruit 400 patients over three years to a multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing stenting with emergency surgery in the palliative or curative treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer.


Research activity codes: 6.4 SURGERY
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Epigenetic gene silencing in normal cells and cancer
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Genes protecting cells from becoming a cancer can be inactivated either by mutations in DNA sequence or by inappropriate addition of methyl groups to DNA at their control regions. My research goals are to gain a detailed understanding into the molecular mechanisms that lead to inappropriate gene silencing in cancer and to identify potential target proteins for future anti-cancer therapies.


Research activity codes: 1.1 NORMAL BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONING;2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: reSEARCH: A biorepository to provide RE agents for the discovery of molecular predictors of lung tumour development, collected in the Lung-SEARCH trial
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: The goal of this proposal is to create a comprehensive archive of specimens systematically collected at intervals from patients at high risk for lung cancer, some of whom will have developed the disease during the course of the study.


Research activity codes: 4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: CRUKD/12/001: Exploratory & preclinical development & a Phase I first in man trial of AT13148, a novel AGC kinase inhibitor given orally to patients with advanced solid tumours
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: CRUKD/12/001: Exploratory & preclinical development & a Phase I first in man trial of AT13148, a novel AGC kinase inhibitor given orally to patients with advanced solid tumours


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS;6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Graduate Research Training Programme in Radiation Oncology & Biology
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: The scheme aims to provide doctorate-level training for students in the field of radiobiology and its applications to radiotherapy, with skills that are both wide-ranging and intensive and which are designed to address specific deficiencies in UK provision of research in this area identified by the National Cancer Research Institute.


Research activity codes: 2.6 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (AETIOLOGY);5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to target the inhibitory kappa B kinase pathway to discover novel therapies in prostate cancer
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: We will pursue a multi-track drug discovery programme including developing compounds from plant sources; identifying new compounds by virtual screening and exploring compounds that disrupt proteins and DNA. This will allow us to comprehensively exploit a cell signalling pathway implicated in prostate cancer, leading to better medicines for this disease.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Identification and analysis of JAK/STAT pathway components, regulators and mechanisms of action
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Cancer Research UK PhD Studentship associated with: The breakdown of regulatory mechanisms controlling signalling mechanisms, such as the JAK/STAT pathway, are frequent causative factors in the development of human cancers. Indeed, mis-regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway has been identified in a wide range of solid tumours including breast, head & neck, prostate and lung cancers. However, the most frequent cancers associated with the pathway are haematopoietic malignancies including multiple myeloma, leukaemias and lymphomas. Although the core JAK/STAT pathway components have been a focus of research since their discovery, our understanding of pathway regulators and their normal and malignant functions in vivo is more limited. Improved knowledge of pathway regulatory mechanisms may therefore contribute towards more effective future treatments. In this project we will use whole genome RNAi technology to identify and classify such pathway regulators whose disruption may be a key factor in the breakdown of control that leads to cancer. We will then combine the power of the drosophila developmental/genetic system with the biomedical strengths of human cell based assays to characterise the functions and roles of these regulators in vivo. In this way we aim to substantially advance our knowledge of the factors regulating a key cancer signalling pathway.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS