Research and clinical trials at Clatterbridge
Here at Clatterbridge we undertake clinical research as part of the Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Research Network (www.mccn.nhs.uk). The research involves both patients treated within the Centre and those having their treatment for cancer at any one of the district general hospitals within the region.
Research studies may relate to clinical or medical oncology (such as how best to deliver radiotherapy or to assess the effectiveness of chemotherapy), or may also involve cancer surgery (by comparing surgery against radiotherapy or chemotherapy, for example).
In addition to clinical trials, other studies carried out at the Centre relate to the development of novel treatment techniques, or the development and assessment of new items of therapy equipment.
We are also involved in laboratory-based research carried out at the Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust (www.ccrt.org.uk). Here, molecular biology (gene) studies are carried out on samples of tumours to better understand how cancers develop and to try to predict the best ways to treat each individual patient.
All research work is carried out under appropriate approval of the local ethics committee, the Wirral Ethics Committee. In addition, for a multi-centre trial, approval is required from the Ethics Committee of the lead centre for that trial. All research work also requires the approval of the relevant Clinical Director of the Trust and the Chief Executive.