The University of Sheffield
Clinical Oncology

Cancer Clinical Trials Centre

University Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology

The Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology first established a clinical research facility at Weston Park Hospital in 1992. The main aim was to provide a centre for the co-ordination of clinical research within Weston Park Hospital, which, by providing facilities and staff for data management, protocol design and data analysis, would enable all clinical staff at Weston Park Hospital to participate in clinical trials.

We now have an experienced and flourishing multi-disciplinary research team, that conducts high quality research studies, to the exacting standards expected by the scientific community and demanded by the regulatory authorities. We are of course interested in the effects of new treatments on both the quality as well as quantity of our patients' lives. Over the past ten years over 5000 patients, with a broad range of different cancers, have been entered into a variety of clinical trials. The impressive research output over the past few years in terms of publications and national and international presentations indicates the excellent quality of research being conducted.

Cancer Clinical Trials Centre

The Academic Unit is located in purpose built facilities, generously funded by the Cancer Appeal, that provide facilities for the assessment and treatment of patients, office space for staff with fully networked computer systems, a laboratory, and specialist activities such as bone densitometry. The environment is ideal for both patients and staff and has allowed rapid expansion of the staffing and the range of research that can be performed.

Research links

Clinical research relies on collaboration. As a result, strong links have been established with many of the collaborative research groups across the world. These include the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment in Cancer (EORTC) among many others. Additionally, research links with laboratory based research teams both in Sheffield and beyond have flourished and provided opportunities for translational research in bone oncology and lung cancer.

Profile

The Cancer Clinical Trials Centre now has a national profile in many areas and international recognition in several key research areas. Over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts have been published during the past 5 years, 86 within the time course of the current WPH Cancer Appeal grant. Senior members of staff hold important positions on the committees of the NCRI and EORTC tumour specific groups. Additionally, staff are invited on a regular basis to lecture at major international congresses and symposia.

Research strengths

The Cancer Clinical Trials Centre is involved in research studies ranging from dose-finding Phase I studies through to post-marketing Phase IV trials. The key areas of research have continued to flourish over recent years and several new interests have developed. The major areas of current research interest include:-