Research
Introduction by Professor Anthony Chalmers (Principle Investigator):
I am delighted that the OPARATIC study has opened in Glasgow, with centres at the Manchester and the Royal Marsden to open for recruitment soon. OPARATIC is a phase I clinical trial that is sponsored and managed by CRUK and has two main objectives.
The first is to determine whether olaparib, an oral PARP inhibitor, penetrates recurrent glioblastoma. To answer this question, patients with recurrent glioblastoma who are scheduled to have an operation to resect the tumour will be treated with olaparib for 3 days prior to surgery. The tumour tissue will then be tested for the presence of the drug, and for biological markers of drug activity.
The second objective is to find out if olaparib can be safely combined with continuous low dose temozolomide chemotherapy.
For this part of the study, patients with recurrent glioblastoma will be treated with escalating doses of olaparib and temozolomide and the side effects monitored very closely. The ultimate aim is to see if olaparib increases the effectiveness of temozolomide in the treatment of glioblastoma; this question will be answered in subsequent randomised clinical trials. We also hope to combine olaparib with radiotherapy in glioblastoma patients, based on laboratory research showing tumour specific enhancement of radiation sensitivity in glioblastoma cells and in animal models.
Joint initiative for funding feasibility studies in brain tumours
Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT) and Cancer Research UK (CR-UK) are launching a joint clinical trials initiative for primary brain tumours, following their previous joint round in 2009. Recognising the further need for research into novel agents and therapies in this area, a call for feasibility study applications has been issued, with an application deadline of 13th April 2012. Funding of up to £80,000 in total is available for a period of up to 48 months.
Please see flyer for further information.
Further vital brain tumour research to be funded.
The UK's largest brain tumour charity, Hampshire-based Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT), has announced its next brain tumour research grant round.
The charity is inviting applications from researchers in the UK for projects costing between £40,000 and £215,000. Any research across all types of primary brain tumour will be eligible, including fundamental science, translational, population-study, health services and psycho-social / quality of life research. Deadline for submissions of outline applications 7 March 2012.
For further details please see the Grant Round 2012 page on the SDBTT website. Download the Grant Round 2012 press release.
Leading the way in child cancer research
The thriving Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) was established in 1997 and is now led by Professors David Walker and Richard Grundy. The University of Nottingham is the ideal base for their research as it already leads the way:
- neuroscience
- cancer
- human development
Visit the CBTRC website for further information.
Online survey: Evaluation of the use and value of prognostic modelling by clinicians in the management of patients with primary brain tumours
Mr Paul Brennan (Clinical Lecturer Neurosurgery at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre) and team are inviting the neuro-oncology community to complete a short survey in relation to a 4th year medical student project - please can you help?
We would be very grateful for your help by completing the following survey.
Click here to access the survey.
For further information please refer to the project Proposal.
The survey forms part of an undergraduate project at the University of Edinburgh. As part of a larger objective to explore the role of prognosis in medical decision making, we are interested in the role of prognosis in management of patients with primary brain tumours. The results of this survey will inform the design of novel tools for trialling in this area.Mr Paul Brennan
Clinical Lecturer Neurosurgery
Honorary Specialist Registrar Neurosurgery
Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre
Western General Hospital
Edinburgh
On behalf of the research team.
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