Clatterbridge becomes top UK recruiter for major clinical research trial

Clatterbridge has become the top recruiting site in the UK for a major clinical research trial aiming to improve outcomes for people with an aggressive and fast-growing form of brain cancer.

The international Gliofocus study is taking place across multiple countries and will recruit 450 participants worldwide. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) has already recruited the highest number of UK patients, with seven having been enrolled at the Liverpool site and five on active treatment. CCC was already the first UK site to open the study into glioblastoma tumours and recruit the first patient in the UK to it.

Dr Shaveta Mehta, the study’s Principal Investigator at CCC said:

“It is a huge achievement for our team to be the highest recruiting site in the UK. There is a real need to find new, effective treatments for glioblastoma, which can be a devastating diagnosis for patients, especially for those whose tumours are less responsive to current, standard therapies.”

The Gliofocus study is investigating whether a therapy called niraparib can improve outcomes compared to the current standard of care, temozolomide, for adults with newly diagnosed MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma – a group that typically receives little benefit from standard chemotherapy.

“This clinical trial offers an opportunity for these patients to access a treatment that has come from the very latest research,” said Dr Mehta, speaking during Brain Tumour Awareness Month. “We hope that the study will ultimately change the standard treatment and improve outcomes for patients in the future.”

Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research and Innovation Operations at CCC, thanked Dr Mehta, Advanced Research Practitioner Pembe Yesildag, and their team for their hard work in leading the UK on this study.

Clatterbridge - Brain Cancer — Credit: Clatterbridge

Dr Heap said:

“It is wonderful news that we are the highest recruiter, opened the site first to recruitment and signed up the first patient in the UK. This is down to the dedication of the team and shows our research processes for set-up and delivery at Clatterbridge are working extremely well.

“This clinical trial is a major milestone in UK brain cancer research and will hopefully offer new hope for patients facing one of the most challenging cancer diagnoses.

“Clatterbridge is one of the leading NHS research sites in the UK and is a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for brain cancers. Our expanding clinical trials portfolio means more of our patients can access innovative therapies.”