improving access to information about research and trials
July 2024
We want to drive improvements in radiotherapy treatments and techniques through research and clinical trials.
To help us do this, we have recognised the need to raise awareness of radiotherapy research and clinical trials and reduce the barriers for people participating.
We've talked to patients and clinicians about how to do this. They suggested an information video would be useful to provide information and raise awareness.
We've been working with patients and staff to co-produce a video. Over 40 people across the country contacted us to be part of a focus group to inform the content of the video.
Our first focus group was held online on 23rd May 2024 and was attended by 7 people from the Midlands, North East and London who shared their views about what should be covered in a video about research, and how to make this as relevant and inclusive as possible.
A second focus group took place on 10th June 2024 and was attended by another 7 people from across the country.
An online survey also ran during May and June to capture people's views about what information they need to be better informed about research and clinical trials.
What did you tell us?
Through the online survey and focus groups, people told us that the videos should:
- answer key questions that people have about radiotherapy research
- address practical aspects of taking part in a clinical trial
- be clear and accessible, with translations and subtitles
- be available in both short and longer form versions
- contain links to further information
- include a list of questions people might want to ask their clinicians
We've since started filming interviews with our clinical colleagues who will be providing information about research and clinical trials in the videos.
Dr Rachel Pearson is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals and is the Network's Research Lead.
She is passionate about research and trials and how they can improve treatments, outcomes and quality of life for patients.
What's next?
We're excited that we have a first draft of the video just about ready to share! We will be asking for feedback on this again before it is finalised and made publicly available.
We'll also be doing some work with our partners and stakeholders to agree where and how the video can be shared to make sure as many people as possible have access to it.
We'll share more information about this and the link to the video here soon - keep checking back
CONCORDE RECRUITMENT SUCCESS
March 2024
Congratulations to the Clinical Trials Team at The Northern Centre for Cancer Care at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital for their fantastic work recruiting patients to the Concorde trial.
The trial is to find the best dose of certain targeted drugs to give alongside radiotherapy for people with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
After opening the study at Newcastle in March 2021 under Principle Investigator Dr Adam Hassani, Newcastle have recruited a total of 19 participants and are the top recruiter this quarter.
Newcastle are also one of three sites to recruit to the new study arm which includes an immunotherapy component.
The inclusion of immunotherapy components as a treatment option in the study is a huge benefit to patients who may not benefit otherwise.
PACE NODES RECRUITMENT SUCCESS
January 2024
The radiotherapy department at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough was the first to open and recruit to the PACE Nodes study in September 2022, and has recently achieved an important milestone by recruiting it's 100th patient!
The study is for men with high risk localised prostate cancer, deemed suitable for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and planned for 12 - 36 months of hormone therapy. It compares the effectiveness of conventional stereotactic radiotherapy to the prostate alone, with SBRT to both the prostate and lymph nodes; patients are randomly allocated to either arm.
Importantly, this treatment delivers a potentially curative dose of radiotherapy in only five treatments over two weeks instead of 20 treatments over 4 weeks.
Dr Darren Leaning, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, who has recruited many of the 100 patients said,
“The study aims to demonstrate that giving SBRT to the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes is a safe and effective treatment. Together with data from previous trials, this trial could lead to an immediate change in clinical practice, giving men the option of a more convenient new treatment that reduces the risk of their cancer coming back”.
Patients attend JCUH from a large geographical area with significant travelling time for many people. Daily treatment over a reduced period of 2 instead of 4 weeks is reported positively by many patients. This is also advantageous for the department as more patients can receive treatment.
Keith Harland, Radiotherapy Research Team Lead said, “Key to successful recruitment has been the collaboration across all our teams employed in the treatment of prostate cancer and their determination to offer all patients the best possible radiotherapy treatment".
PATHOS TRIAL recruitment success
October 2023
PATHOS is a Phase III trial looking to see if treatment for oropharyngeal cancer can be modified to reduce the risk of side effects caused by treatment and see if long-term toxicity, particularly swallowing problems, can be reduced in patients receiving either lower dose radiotherapy or no chemotherapy whilst proving that cure rates are maintained. The trial opened at Newcastle in July 2016 and the Trust has consistently placed second out of 39 recruitment sites, recently recruiting their 90th patient to the trial.
Newcastle Hospital pioneered transoral robotic surgery for throat cancers in the UK. They have a multi-disciplinary team who focus on improving quality of life after cancer treatment. The PATHOS trial has been so successful as it poses an incredibly important clinical question regarding the dose of radiotherapy to be delivered post-surgery and whether chemotherapy is required.
Participants who enter the trial have the opportunity to receive a reduction in their radiotherapy or chemotherapy, which we hope will reduce the side effects of treatment and lead to improved quality of life. Participants really understand that this opportunity can only be delivered within the setting of a controlled trial and it is the potential benefits of involvement which has made recruitment run so well.
The anticipated end date for recruitment is October 2024 and the results will have an immediate impact on clinical practice in the UK.
Find a clinical trial
We're still looking at how we can make information about open clinical trials available to patients.
You can find more information on the Cancer Research UK website and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) website, Be Part of Research.
Please click the buttons below to visit the websites.
