Research recruitment success for 2017

A number of research teams across CMFT have been successful in recruiting the first UK patient to a number of clinical studies.

This important milestone highlights the efficient set up of clinical studies across the Trust and also helps maintain good performance against the NIHR’s benchmark of 70 days from a valid application to first patient recruited: research initiation.

Here is a summary of the recent successes for the research teams in Rheumatology and the Cardiovascular Trials Unit:

UK patient recruited to LUPUS study to find the right treatment first time

The Kellgren Centre for Rheumatology research team, led by Professor Ian Bruce has recruited the first patient in the UK to the PLANS study, which aims to determine the best treatment pathways for people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus).

Lupus is an autoimmune condition thought to be triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Affecting around 16,000 in the UK, symptoms range from; rashes, fatigue and hair loss to arthritis, kidney problems and blood disorders. Flare ups can cause distress and impact on people’s lives with patients often needing to try several treatments before their lupus is controlled.

The PLANS study is part of the £4.1m Medical Research Council MASTERPLANS stratified medicine initiative, studying how different groups of patients within the lupus community respond to specific drugs. The study is investigating which lupus patients will respond well to the treatments rituximab and mycophenolate, so that in the future, effective treatment can begin sooner. Read more on the study website: http://www.lupusmasterplans.org

 

First UK patient recruited to cardiovascular study to improve outcomes for babies and mothers in pregnancy

Congratulations to Dr Handrean Soran and the cardiovascular trials unit team who were first in the UK to recruit a patient to an observational study to evaluate the safety of drug Repatha to treat high cholesterol during pregnancy.

The study aims to learn more about the outcomes of pregnancy in women who have been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) by collecting information during pregnancy along with information about baby’s health after the pregnancy is over.

FH is a specific type of high cholesterol that runs in the family, in children, young people and adults resulting in an increased risk of coronary heart.

This study is funded by Amgen Inc and supported by the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network: Greater Manchester is expected to recruit 300 women across Europe, Australia and South Africa and run until July 2026.