HHTU News Roundup
MOI-A team members attend international conference
The MOI-A demonstrator (10.4) project within the REMEDi4ALL Consortium is assessing the repurposing of losartan in adults and older adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta, an inherited form of bone fragility, caused in the majority of cases by mutations in one of the two genes encoding type I collagen.
Judith Cohen (HHTU Director) and Mahe Haji Sadeghi (Trial Manager for MOI-A) were invited to attend iDR24 the first international Drug Repurposing Conference which was at the start of March in Barcelona The conference was around Bridging Boundaries: Innovating, Connecting & Reshaping Drug Repurposing.
Judith and Mahe presented a poster at the conference to report on the challenges that have arisen during the set- up of the study with the expectation that future studies will be able to proceed more swiftly.
This was a global event and great opportunity to hear and meet key leaders from the research and patient communities, funders, regulators and the private sector from Europe and beyond. They both managed to speak to others from around the world to explore innovative approaches, discuss our challenges, share best practices, and further work towards a healthier future for patients and society.
More exciting news from MOI-A!
The MOI-A study now got the sponsor Greenlight for all 3 sites in the UK with our 3rd site at Sheffield Teaching Hospital granted the Greenlight and opening to recruitment in March.
PRE-DX Protocol paper published in PlosOne
The PRE-DX protocol paper has now been published in PlosOne. The study is aiming to assess the impact on patient management if the Oncotype DX test is requested on a biopsy sample taken at the time of diagnosis as opposed to a sample obtained during surgery. The availability of this result earlier in the clinical care pathway may streamline the pathway, reducing the time to start adjuvant cancer therapy, reducing the demand on health care services, and improving patient experience. The results for the study are expected to be available by the end of the year.
The TRANSFORM Showcase
Members of the HHTU attended the TRANSFORM Showcase on the 21st March. THis event was to present a lot, but not all, of the research that the £4.9 million TRANSFORMing Cancer Outcomes in Yorkshire programme has enabled as it nears it’s end. This programme was funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research with it’s aim to tackle the cancer inequalities that exist in Yorkshire esepcially Hull. The presentation sessions were split into Cancer Screening, Activity and Cancer, Neglected Symptoms, Cancer Experiences and Underserved Communities with lots of posters and multimedia presentations (such as games, interactive maps, videos) to view over the lunch period.
10 out of the 18 presenations also had a link to the HHTU and the Data Safe Haven (which HHTU Manages). Whether this was because the study was managed by the HHTU such as CANfit and DOORStep presented by Dr Cindy Forbes and Dr Charlotte Kelly respectively. Or that we provided a data system such as secure box storage like for Dr Gillian Jacksons DAMPenD project or Dr Micky Kerr’s PRIORITY study. Or the data for the study was stored in the Data Safe Haven allowing them to analyse very large NHS data sets such as Dr Arwa Abdel-Aal and Dr Benjamin Pickwell-Smiths PhD projects looking into cancer inequalities. It was a really rewarding day to see the details and results of the important and interesting research the HHTU has played a part in.
A particularly excellent presentation was about the public involvement community for cancer research which at Hull is the PPI network, Involve Hull. This was presented by Helen Roberts (Patient and Public Involvement Co-ordinator) and Involve Hull member Helen Baker. It really showed the importance and value of a PPI network not only for the instition and research but also for the PPI members that take part.
It was an excellent and inspiriational day for all involved.
