Promoting Greener Trials

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Promoting Greener Trials

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

The environmental impact of clinical trials

Climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity. Yet healthcare, including clinical trials, contributes to the problem by producing 4-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting greener, more sustainable practices in clinical research is essential to reducing the environmental impact of our work.

Developing a method to footprint clinical trials

As a first step towards lower carbon trial design, a method and guidance to carbon footprint publicly funded clinical trials was developed by UKCRC Registered CTU trialists based at the ICR-CTSU and the University of Liverpool. The initial guidance was piloted on two CRUK-funded, ICR-CTSU managed trials https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38267250/.

Collaboration with 7 more UKCRC Registered CTUs (Centre for Trials Research, Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials, Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, UCL Innovative Clinical Trials Unit (formerly MRC CTU at UCL), Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre) and 3 international CTUs (Cancer Trials Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and CTN Diabetes and Institute for Clinical Trials, and The George Institute for Global Health) further tested and refined the applicability and usability of the method developed.

Each CTU identified a trial from their portfolio and a member of their team who could perform the footprinting of the trial. The work was performed by a variety of team members from each CTU (trial managers, MSC students, PhD students, clinicians). The work took between 5 and 60 hours per trial depending on the complexity of the trial, and how familiar the person completing the carbon footprinting was with the trial itself. This was conducted alongside existing routine workload, without specific funding to support it.

The results showed that the carbon hotspots of these trials varies but there are some key themes starting to emerge in terms of where the majority of emissions are seen.  You can read more about this work here: What is the carbon footprint of academic clinical trials? A study of hotspots in 10 trials – PubMed.

Carbon footprinting drop‑in clinics

We now need to turn carbon footprinting into action and promote a paradigm shift to lower carbon trial design and delivery.

Promoting Greener Trials - Details of Carbon Footprinting Drop In Clinics

The ICR-CTSU team, funded by Wellcome on behalf of the TMRP Greener Trials Group, are keen to support and train as many UKCRC CTU staff in the method of clinical trial carbon footprinting as possible. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience of this, and we will provide all required guidance documents and tools to perform the footprinting.

By attending a Wellcome-funded carbon footprinting ‘drop-in clinic’ and footprinting a clinical trial, trial staff will have a better understanding of the environmental impact of their trials. This could help inform lower carbon trial design and, as funders begin to ask applicants to consider the environmental impact of their research, this could be a valuable addition to funding applications and progress reports.

For UK CTUs whose host institutions have signed up to the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, this knowledge could also help teams provide the environmental impact data, required by the Concordat.

The Wellcome-funded carbon footprinting drop-in clinics run monthly, and are open to everyone and anyone, including those just wishing to learn more about the concept of carbon footprinting and Greener Trials.

For more information, contact cict-icrctsu@icr.ac.uk or visit the MRC NIHR TMRP Greener Trials website

Building the evidence base

The accumulating data on publicly funded clinical trial footprints is being collated through the trials footprinted at the clinics. These data are critical to our knowledge base and to supporting research around lower carbon trial design.

Each UKCRC CTU agreeing to share footprinting data with the Greener Trials Toolkit is contributing towards the update and refinement of the guidance, which increases its applicability to a wider variety of future trialists. The more data we have, the faster and easier we can make the calculations for future users.

We’re delighted that more and more UKCRC CTUs are attending the clinics and sharing their data with us, most recently the Rapid Eczema Trials which are being delivered in collaboration with Nottingham CTU, and the STRATA trial delivered in collaboration with the Bristol Trials Centre and footprinted by  Bristol Medical School.

The data are also building an evidence base of where hotspots lie in trials in different therapeutic areas or using different designs and interventions. We need this information to facilitate research into mitigation strategies to reduce those hotspots, without compromising the quality of trials and integrity of trial data.

The Greener Trials Toolkit

To help speed up carbon footprinting calculations and collation of this critical data, Wellcome are also funding the development of an online, free to use, open science and fully referenced Greener Trials Toolkit.

The Toolkit, planned for release in 2026, will speed up carbon footprinting calculations and provide users with information on mitigation strategies for the hotspots identified. The Toolkit will also include a publicly accessible database of carbon emission factors and curate the data that users share with the Greener Trials Data Consortium.

Supporting sustainability across the CTU Network

The Network is also supporting CTUs in the consideration of sustainability. The UKCRC CTU Network Sustainability thematic group was recently conceived, and the group have held their first meeting and are excitedly planning the ways in which it can bring the CTU network together to share knowledge, best practice and practical experience of considering and implementing Greener Trials.

We’d like to express our huge thanks to the 10 UKCRC Registered Clinical Trial Units and affiliates who have already footprinted trials and shared their data with the Greener Trials Data Consortium and look forward to hearing from others who may be interested in considering the carbon footprint of their trials.

To get involved, please contact cict-icrctsu@icr.ac.uk.

The Network became a supporter of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice in June 2024.  Learn more here.

PPI Specialist Member sought for Network’s Executive Group

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

The UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) Network is seeking a highly experienced public contributor with expertise in clinical trials to contribute to the strategic work of its Executive Group.

The successful candidate will have a wealth of experience, knowledge, and acumen within the field of non-commercial/academic clinical trials research, demonstrate an excellent understanding of best practice as well as current drivers for change.

Download Applicant Information Pack

As the collective voice of non-commercial and academic clinical trials units, the Network plays an important role in engaging with Government, funders, regulators, and patients to improve and strengthen clinical research in the UK. The Network is seen internationally as an exemplar for the development of national clinical trials support. It was established in 2007, and its members are committed to setting and sharing good practice and improving standards in clinical trials.

The CTU Network is funded by its members, and major funders have representation on the Executive Group, this includes; Cancer Research UK, NIHR, Arthritis UK, Chief Scientist Office Scotland, and Health and Social Care Research Wales.

The deadline for applications is 6pm on 29 May 2026.

Registration Opens for Nottingham How to be a Great Chief Investigator Workshop

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

Don’t miss your chance to register for the next ‘How to be a Great Chief Investigator for Clinical Trials’ workshop taking place in Nottingham on 5 May 2026.

The workshop is designed to equip researchers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as Chief Investigators (CIs), through:

–  Expert guidance from experienced CIs with a diverse range of backgrounds and specialties.
–  The opportunity to meet and gain insights from specialists at Registered CTUs, including statisticians and trial managers.
–  Interactive activities to develop practical understanding of the issues.
–  A collaborative learning environment.

You’ll also be able to begin building your own peer support network.

Previous workshops have been awarded 5 external (category 1) CPD credits by the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians, and an application for CPD accreditation is currently in progress for this event.

Find out more and register here

What did previous attendees think of the How to be a Great Chief Investigator workshop?

Feedback from delegates at a previous How to be a Great CI for Clinical Trials workshop

Rare Disease Research Across the Network

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

Vital rare disease research is being undertaken by many Registered Clinical Trials Units (CTUs).

There are thousands of rare diseases that collectively affect millions of people in the UK. Because each condition itself is rare, it is challenging to do clinical trials to show whether new treatment approaches are safe and effective. Sadly, this means many rare diseases lack effective treatment with no research ongoing to give patients hope. Read more about the importance of research into rare diseases here.

Registered CTUs are helping to tackle these challenges by improving how rare disease research is designed and delivered. You can explore a few of these important and innovative trials below.

rEECur: Balancing clinical efficacy against toxicity

The rEECur trial is the first international, large-scale randomised controlled trial for recurrent and primary refractory Ewing sarcoma (RR ES). Given the rarity of this paediatric cancer (approx. 250 UK cases annually) and its poor prognosis, rEECur utilises a multi-arm, flexible design to maximise data from a limited patient pool.

Over the past decade, the trial has evaluated 6 different chemotherapy regimens, aiming to identify the optimal systemic treatment by balancing clinical efficacy against toxicity. Of the first 5 arms compared within the trial, high dose ifosfamide (IFOS) has been defined as the most effective regimen at prolonging survival, and is now offered to patients at first relapse as standard.

There are currently 2 arms open to recruitment; IFOS and IFOS combined with lenvatinib (IFOS-L). Lenvatinib belongs to a class of drugs which has shown promising activity in relapsed disease, with an acceptable toxicity profile. A new treatment, trabectedin plus irinotecan is being added into rEECur with the aim of opening in the UK in summer 2026.  The inclusion of trabectedin is underpinned by promising data which has demonstrated clinical benefit in ES. These drugs offer hope to patients who might not otherwise have access to potentially more effective and less toxic drug combinations, providing better quality of life. The Cancer Research Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) at the University of Birmingham provides the infrastructure and expertise needed to deliver rEECur including involvement in protocol development and design and regulatory navigation ensuring the trial is scientifically robust and ethically compliant. Delivery is supported through supply of drugs unavailable via local hospital supply, centralised data management, monitoring and safety reporting which ensures the integrity of the results and the wellbeing of participants. By managing these logistical and administrative requirements, the CRCTU ensures that trials are conducted to the highest standards.

Acknowledgements: Prof Martin McCabe (Chief Investigator), Cancer Research UK (funder)

CF-10: Identifying a better treatment for cystinosis

Cystinosis is a rare inherited recessive condition, with a frequency of 1 in 100,000-200,000 live births, that, if untreated, causes kidney failure and death. There are only about 2-3 new cases each year in the UK.  Standard treatment is cysteamine, which has unpleasant side effects and needs to be taken very frequently, so better treatments are needed. CF-10 is a cysteamine prodrug that was designed to eliminate the deleterious side effects of cysteamine, and does not need to be taken so frequently, and hence may be a superior treatment for cystinosis.

The CF-10 trial is the initial step in the evaluation of CF-10; it is a Phase 1 clinical trial, funded by the Medical Research Council, to estimate the best dose and safety of this potential new treatment. The trial is co-ordinated by the Cancer Research UK CTU in Birmingham, and is expected to open to patient recruitment next year.

MCDS-therapy: Improving treatment for children with skeletal dysplasia

This trial assessed whether carbamazepine (CBZ) presents a promising treatment for children with skeletal dysplasia. It was a designed as an efficient two-stage trial, first choosing a safe dose of CBZ and then assessing whether it led to improvements in growth and symptoms such as pain.

MCDS-Therapy Trial Logo: an example of Rare Disease Research Across the Network

Funded by the EU’s Horizon programme and coordinated by Newcastle CTU, recruitment opened across multiple international sites. Conducting an international trial in an ultra-rare paediatric condition presents considerably challenges, but such a collaboration is necessary for extremely rare diseases. The CTU model provides the operational coordination, statistical expertise and governance oversight needed to deliver this type of complex global study.

Find out more here.

OPERA – Optimising Primary Therapy in Primary Billiary Cholangitis

This is an ongoing trial, funded by NIHR and coordinated by Newcastle CTU. It is enrolling participants with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune liver disease. Participants identified as being at high risk of not responding adequately to first-line treatment (ursodeoxycholic acid, UDCA) are randomised either to continue UDCA or to move directly to second-line therapy (obeticholic acid).

The OPERA Trial Logo: an example of Rare Disease Research Across the Network

Because PBC is rare, feasibility is critical. OPERA employs advanced statistical analysis approaches that allowed the sample size required to be reduced by 30% without compromising scientific robustness. This is making the trial more feasible to complete.

Find out more here.

TreatWolfram: Evaluating a promising treatment for Wolfram syndrome

Wolfram syndrome is a rare, genetic life-limiting disease, causing diabetes and blindness in children, and death in mid-life from damage to brain cells and brain shrinkage. There is no cure, and no treatments to prevent or slow down the disease. Sodium Valproate was found to be a promising treatment in cell models of Wolfram syndrome, so the TreatWolfram trial was initiated to evaluate whether it was able to slow disease progression.

This was an international, placebo-controlled trial, co-ordinated by the Cancer Research UK CTU (Birmingham), and measured the effects on vision and neurological degeneration over 3 years. The trial recruited 63 patients from 6 sites in 4 countries; it has completed follow-up and is currently in analysis, with results expected soon.

The TreatWolfram Trial Logo: an example of Rare Disease Research Across the Network

Find out more here.

Looking ahead: Accelerating rare disease research

Recent funding from Lifearc has established the Centre for the Acceleration of Rare Disease Trials (ARDT) which brings together several CTUs with a strong track record in rare disease trials. ARDT will support the streamlining of design and delivery of trials in partnership with patients. We are confident that this will catalyse many more rare disease trials in the future, helping to improve outcomes of patients who currently lack treatment.

The ARDT Logo: an example of how CTUs collaborate to undertake Rare Disease Research Across the Network

To find out more about the work of Registered CTUs, including ongoing rare disease research, follow the Network on LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Celebrating women across the Network

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

International Women’s Day is a chance to highlight how women are helping shape research that responds to real-world needs, through collaboration, care and evidence.

Days like this remind us that science is not only about discoveries, but about people – and about creating space for women and girls to lead, contribute and shape research that has the potential to improve lives.

Find out more about some of the inspirational women working in trials units across the Network below.

Dr Victoria Harris a Lead Statistician at the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, where she supports several different clinical trials including evaluating treatments for patients with cancer and comparing surgical versus non-surgical interventions in patients with back pain. She also manages junior team members and supports them at the start of their careers.

“The role of a trial statistician takes many forms: from monitoring data quality, reporting to independent committees on patient safety, to deciding how to analyse the final data in a way that is rigorous. I have always had a keen interest in numbers, having a degree in mathematics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Statistics from UCL.

I was drawn to working in clinical trials as an opportunity to use this interest to contribute to health policies that would help make patients’ lives better. It is essential to have a diverse range of people working in science and research because of how their voices can shape research, for example in clinical trials we want to understand how different treatments can work differently in certain groups.

Women and girls can bring great insights to research, especially in areas where they have not been historically well represented.”

Lauren Ward graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences in December 2024 and now works as a Trial Assistant in the Southampton CTU Oncology group, including the OptiMATe, NERO, and the TOURIST platform trials.

“I always knew I had an interest in human biology, particularly cancer, but didn’t enjoy being hands on in the lab. I had been to some conferences with a friend who was a Patient Advocate on a breast cancer clinical trial which is where my journey into Clinical Research really started to take off.

Moving to SCTU for this role has been one of my greatest decisions. I love doing what I do as I know on a day-to-day basis that each sample, measurement, or questionnaire that we ask our participants to undertake leads to us understanding the bigger picture of the disease, treatment or therapy we are investigating. This job allows me to use some of my expertise from my degree in a way that wasn’t presented to me whilst at university.

I’ve always been passionate about the involvement of girls and women in science. My mum, a former biomedical scientist and now a science teacher, always encouraged me to pursue my passions regardless of what they may be and regardless of my gender. At the end of the day, our interests are what make life enjoyable!”

Sally Hopewell is Professor of Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis, part of the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.

“My interest in clinical research began with a curiosity about how evidence is created and used to improve healthcare. Working in a Clinical Trials Unit allows me to contribute to the design, conduct and reporting of high-quality trials and systematic reviews that can directly influence clinical practice and patient care.

Women and girls are essential to science. Diverse perspectives strengthen research and lead to better, more inclusive outcomes. Supporting and encouraging women in research helps build a stronger future for science and healthcare.”

Uroosha Ali is a Clinical Data Coordinator, working on the AURORA and DECIPHER oncology trials, and the CaDeT and Parent and Baby Project non-oncology trials at the Southampton CTU. Her role involves supporting research delivery by managing and reviewing trial data to ensure accuracy and quality.

“I have always been fascinated with data and problem solving, and I’ve been passionate about channelling this towards a meaningful cause such as cancer research. I was not aware of the various research roles within a Clinical Trials Unit until I came across this role after graduating, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.

I thoroughly enjoy my role and working with my colleagues. I love solving problems and managing data to answer research goals, which directly contributes to evidence based research.

We need more women and girls to be passionate about science. If you like to be curious, to ask questions, to explore and be creative, then science wants people like you! We need unique perspectives and ideas which fuel better research, stronger evidence and brings meaning to everything we do. Science is bright and beautiful. You won’t know what it can offer if you don’t try.”

Adrija Saha works as a medical statistician at the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and is involved in multiple trials in brain cancer, osteoarthritis and shoulder fracture.

“Being the statistician on these studies involves being part of the set-up stage of the trial, planning data collection, closely monitoring participant data as the trial recruits participants, assessing data quality at regular intervals and finally, conducting analysis on all data collected and reaching an answer to the trial’s primary question.

My interest of working specifically in clinical trials began while I was studying an MSc in Medical Statistics. I enjoyed the module on ‘Clinical Trials’ immensely and wanted to gain experience of working on real-life randomised controlled trials. This led me to my current role in OCTRU and I have been enjoying working here.

I would recommend a career in medical statistics to anyone interested in applying mathematics and statistics in a real-world setting, in an impactful way.”

Ella Howes is in the final year of her PhD at Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research. Her PhD is looking at what trialists need to consider when adapting a complex intervention for remote delivery. Her PhD is part of the Trials Methodology Research Partnership Doctoral Training Programme (TMRP DTP).

“It was through making the Trials Methodology Podcast with Georgiana Synesi that I began to appreciate just how interesting (and complicated!) the field of trials methodology is.

It’s a field full of question asking, and question answering, and questioning which of the questions to do the answering of! Lots of What?! How?! When!? I love how meta it can be (research on methods of methods of methods….).

It is also a field full of inspiring women who I’ve learned a lot from – from podcast interviewees, to supervisors, to fellow PhD friends.”

Eleanor Temple is a Medical Statistician and work at the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.

“I am a medical statistician working on clinical trials, my role is to help work out which treatments are most effective. We help design the trials to make sure the research question that the doctors have, is answered in a fair way and at the end of the trial we use the data collected to work out whether the treatment being investigated is better than the current standard treatment. This helps inform which treatments are used in the future. At the moment I am working on a trial that is looking at if a removable splint is as good at helping pain and improving function as a plaster cast for treating a broken wrist.

One of my first jobs was working directly with patients in hospital who had cancer as they took part in clinical trials, explaining the trial to them and then organising their pathway through the trial and helping collect the data needed for the trial. This role was very enlightening, seeing how these people were keen to help with the research to find a better treatment as well as the hope it gave to them. This made me want to help more with the design of trials to play my part in ensuring that the patients’ contributions to research were used to their full capacity with well-designed research and I enjoy working out the correct way to answer the research question and finding that end result.

I wish I knew about the range of different jobs out there to do with science when I was at school, beyond the traditional. I enjoyed maths at school but didn’t want to be a banker so ruled it out as an option for university. If women and girls are more aware of the different roles within science (including a medical statistician role) then we’ll have a broader range of people contributing their ideas and different qualities to our work to improve healthcare outcomes.”

Anna Song is a Senior Trial Manager, with a background as a pharmacist, working on early diagnosis and translational trials at the Southampton CTU. 

“When I qualified as a pharmacist, I didn’t want to be pigeon-holed in one particular clinical area and wanted to be at the forefront of medicine, so I took a chance at a clinical trial pharmacist job and haven’t looked back since. 

I love the clinical passion and expertise in this unit. I love what I do because I get to make a difference and open options for cancer patients for their patient care and provide them hope. 

Having a daughter myself now, I always tell her that there are no limitations. Clinical excellence or scientific passion isn’t based on gender, it is based on a spark inside you and if helping people, some who may be at the end of their hope, is something that fills you with joy, then science is definitely for you. The world stops functioning without science.”

Find out more about some of the trials being done around the Network to improve women’s health here.

Read our piece marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science here.

Women’s health initiatives across the Network

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

International Women’s Day is a chance to highlight how women are helping shape research that responds to real-world needs, through collaboration, care and evidence.

Days like this remind us that science is not only about discoveries, but about people – and about creating space for women and girls to lead, contribute and shape research that has the potential to improve lives.

Find out more about some of the trials being done around the Network to improve women’s health below.

Supporting menstrual health in rural communities

The SunPad study at the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University, is exploring the use of self-cleaning reusable period products in remote rural communities in Nepal. The study is focused on understanding whether the products are practical, acceptable and safe to use in everyday life, and how they might support menstrual health where access to disposable products is limited.

Rebecca Milton, a Research Associate and Trial Manager at the Centre, is part of the team delivering this work alongside her PhD in global maternal and neonatal health.

Her role involves working closely with researchers, partners and communities to make sure the study is carried out carefully, ethically and in a way that reflects local realities rather than assumptions made from afar.

The SunPad team
The SunPad team

The work brings together scientists from Cardiff University with partners in Nepal, including Global Action Nepal and Tribhuvan University.

Spending time with communities, schools and local health services has been a vital part of the study, helping the team understand daily practices, cultural contexts and what matters most to women and girls themselves.

The SunPad research is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is grounded in a simple question: can an innovative idea work in the real world, and could it help reduce health risks and stigma linked to menstruation? Answering that requires not just laboratory science, but careful field research, listening and trust.

Read more: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/sunpad-study-nepal-visit-2024/

Exploring better support for perinatal mental health

Led by Dr Kirsten Barnicot of City St George’s, University of London, the BOOST-3 Trial is a women’s health study addressing moderate-severe or complex perinatal mental illness. This 48-month multicentre trial, starting in March 2026 evaluates VIPP-PMH, a video-feedback intervention designed to empower mothers and birthing people (MABP) by highlighting positive parent-infant interactions.

By comparing VIPP-PMH against specialist care across ten NHS Trusts, Dr Barnicot’s research prioritizes maternal sensitivity and confidence. This women-led initiative aims to provide the definitive evidence needed to update NICE guidelines, ensuring long-term mental health support is accessible and effective for new mothers nationwide.

Could a tampon help improve the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer?

Dr Victoria Goss, Associate Professor of Early Diagnosis and Translational Research at the UKCRC Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, is part of a team running a new trial is testing whether a specialist medical tampon could be the answer to the low rates of early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

The VIOLET study will use the tampon, plus other methods of sample collection, to look for the earliest clues that cancer may be present, particularly in women at a higher risk of developing the disease.

The trial is being led by Dr Jemma Longley, Consultant Medical Oncologist at University Hospital Southampton, alongside colleagues from the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and the Centre for Cancer Immunology at the University of Southampton, and is funded by a grant from The Eve Appeal.

Images kindly provided by Daye

Find out more about the VIOLET study here https://www.southampton.ac.uk/ctu/news/2026/02/could-a-tampon-help-improve-the-early-diagnosis-of-ovarian-cancer.page

Improving life for women with persistent hypothyroid symptoms

The TRIUMPH study, led by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with Newcastle University, is working to understand why some women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis continue to feel unwell even when their thyroid hormone treatment is optimised. Many still experience ongoing fatigue, aches and pains, weight changes and difficulties with concentration, which can have a real impact on daily life.

The study is exploring whether these symptoms may be linked to inflammation inside the thyroid gland, and whether an anti‑inflammatory medicine called mycophenolate mofetil could help. Women taking part receive either mycophenolate mofetil or a placebo for four months, alongside regular health checks, blood tests, questionnaires and thyroid imaging to track changes in symptoms and inflammation.

By focusing on a condition that predominantly affects women of working age, TRIUMPH is helping to address a long‑standing gap in understanding and improving quality of life for those living with persistent symptoms.

Read more: https://www.triumphtrial.co.uk/

You can find out more about some of the inspirational women working across the Network here.

Read our piece marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science here.

Recognising the Importance of Women and Girls in Science

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

Why International Day of Women and Girls in Science Matters

International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights the vital contribution women make to science and research, whilst drawing attention to the persistent gender inequalities that limit progress. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population – and half of its potential. Ensuring their full and equal involvement in science as researcher or study participant is therefore not only a matter of fairness, but essential to achieving high‑quality, impactful, and sustainable research.

The theme of International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 is “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls”. Read more here.

The “Leaky Pipeline”: Structural and Cultural Barriers

Despite progress in recent decades, gender equality in science remains elusive. Globally, only one in three scientists is a woman. In the UK, whilst women make up more than three quarters of the NHS workforce, including large numbers of scientific and technical staff, disparities remain stark within academic medicine. Women represent less than 40% of the medical academic workforce, and their representation declines sharply with seniority with only just over one fifth of professors being female.

These patterns reflect structural and cultural barriers that continue to shape scientific careers. Limited access to flexible and part‑time roles, challenges in balancing caring responsibilities, and perceptions that non‑linear or less‑than‑full‑time working is incompatible with progression all contribute to the well‑documented “leaky pipeline”. This is evident in research funding pathways, where applications from women decline at each successive career stage, despite strong participation earlier on.

Image for decorative purposes only

Addressing these inequalities matters for science itself.  A diverse research and educational workforce broadens the type of questions that are asked, the populations that are studied, and the solutions that are developed. Greater diversity among researchers and research leaders strengthens methodological rigour, enhances relevance, and supports better outcomes for patients and communities, particularly those who are under‑represented or experience health inequalities.

Women’s Leadership Across the CTU Network

The CTU Network is committed to supporting an inclusive and collaborative research environment. Across the Network, women play a leading role in delivering high‑quality, non‑commercial clinical trials. Over 60% of registered CTUs have a female Director, Co‑Director or Deputy Director, with women represented at all levels and across all disciplines including statistics, data management, quality assurance, IS, and trial operations. Women also chair or co‑chair the majority of our network groups.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we recognise the achievements of women across the CTU Network and reaffirm our commitment to reducing barriers, supporting progression, and ensuring that clinical research benefits from the full breadth of talent and expertise available.

The Importance of Research into Rare Diseases

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

Professor Mahesh Parmar, Director of the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, discusses the impact of clinical research into rare diseases

Why robust research into rare diseases matters

Rare diseases collectively affect tens of millions of people worldwide, yet each individual condition often impacts only a small number of patients. This creates a persistent evidence gap. Limited clinical expertise, fragmented patient populations, and a lack of commercial incentives can all impede the generation of high‑quality evidence to inform diagnosis, treatment, and care. Research into rare diseases is therefore essential not only to improve outcomes for affected individuals and families, but also to reduce health inequalities and ensure that healthcare systems are equipped to deliver effective, evidence‑based care across all conditions.

Logo for the Rare Disease Day campaign

The unique challenges in conducting rare disease trials

Image of children playing with the words research into rare diseases improves outcomes for individuals and families and reduces health inequalities.

Conducting robust clinical research in rare diseases presents distinctive methodological and practical challenges. Small sample sizes, heterogeneous disease presentations, and limited natural history data make trial design, recruitment, and analysis particularly complex. 

The UK’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) model plays a critical enabling role. CTUs bring together multidisciplinary expertise in trial design, statistics, data management, regulatory compliance, and patient and public involvement, allowing rare disease studies to be conducted to the same high standards as trials in more common conditions.

The critical role of played by Registered Clinical Trials Units

The UK CTU infrastructure supports rare disease research in several key ways. First, CTUs provide methodological innovation, including adaptive designs, Bayesian approaches, and specific adapted methods for rare disease trials which are needed when participant numbers are limited. Second, they offer operational capacity to coordinate multicentre and often international studies, helping to overcome the geographic dispersion of patients. Third, CTUs support close collaboration with clinicians, patients, and charities, ensuring that studies address meaningful outcomes and are feasible and acceptable to participants.

By embedding rare disease research within a nationally coordinated CTU network, the UK maximises the impact of public and charitable investment, reduces duplication, and accelerates the translation of research findings into practice. This model helps ensure that people living with rare diseases are not excluded from the benefits of rigorous clinical research, and that high‑quality evidence can inform care even where patient numbers are small.

You can read about some of the trials taking place across the Network here.

To keep up to date on our activities, follow the Network on LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Marking World Cancer Day 2026

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

On World Cancer Day, we recognise the researchers, clinicians and organisations working together to test new ideas and build the evidence needed to improve cancer care in the future.

The day also gives us an opportunity highlight some of the research that could make cancer treatment more effective and less difficult for patients.

Below are just three of the potentially life changing clinical trials being led by Registered Clinical Trials Units. 

Follow us on BlueSky and LinkedIn to find out more about the valuable work being undertaken across the Network.

A kinder way to deliver chemotherapy

At Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research, we are supporting the PICCOS study, which is looking at a different way of giving chemotherapy to people whose cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen. This can happen in ovarian, bowel and stomach cancers.

When cancer spreads in this way, it can be very hard to treat. Standard anti-cancer treatment is usually given through a drip or tablets and travels around the whole body. It doesn’t always reach cancer in the abdomen very well and can cause side effects that have a big impact on everyday life.

PICCOS is testing whether chemotherapy works better when it is delivered directly to where the cancer is. The treatment, called PIPAC, delivers chemotherapy as a fine spray into the abdomen during keyhole surgery. This approach has been used in other countries for several years, but in the UK, it is only available through research studies.

The study is comparing this approach with standard chemotherapy to see which works better and whether it could help people live longer or feel better during treatment. This kind of research is essential before new treatments can be offered routinely by the NHS.

The trial is being delivered by teams from Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. PICCOS is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

To read more, please visit https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/research/studies-and-trials/view/piccos

Improved treatments for prostate cancer

The STAMPEDE clinical trial and the STOPCAP M1 meta-analyses looked at several new treatments for prostate cancer to see which ones could help men live longer. STAMPEDE used the multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) innovative design, and STOPCAP M1 used the FAME meta-analysis approach. These innovative ways of running and combining trials meant that results were available much more quickly and reliably than with traditional methods.

The research showed strong evidence that adding treatments like docetaxel, abiraterone and targeted radiotherapy to the prostate, to standard therapy, helps men live longer and reduces the chance of their cancer returning. These findings changed treatment guidelines around the world. In the UK, this has already given prostate cancer patients up to 31,250 extra years of life combined.

The MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL made this possible by designing efficient trials, bringing together large groups of researchers and hospitals, and carefully combining results from multiple studies. Their systems helped trials recruit quickly, test new treatments sooner and produce high‑quality evidence to guide doctors and improve patient care.

Find out more about these and other studies undertaken by the MRC CTU at UCL here.

Access to promising new treatments for B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Most young people who get B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) get better with treatment, but if they don’t get better or if their cancer comes back there is no other good treatment to help them.  This means the way clinical trials usually work is not good for these patients because it would take too long to test 1 new treatment at a time.  Instead, the Glo-BNHL trial offers lots of promising new treatments for patients and their doctors to choose from. 

Companies with new treatments that might benefit patients apply to take part.  A team of experts asses the suitability of the treatment and prioritise those that are most promising.  Treatments will be regularly assessed and those that do not show statistically significant benefits for patients will be deprioritised to make way for new treatments. Where treatments prove of benefit to patients, companies will use the data from Glo-BNHL to apply for marketing authorisation, thereby evolving standard of care.

Patients in the UK are already able to access two new treatments, both of which are first-in-child, and patients in the US, Canda, Australia, New Zealand and across Europe will soon be able to access them too.

The concept came from the 2nd ACCELERATE Paediatric Strategy Forum, which examines the primary concerns in paediatric oncology. The Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) has since been central to the success of Glo-BNHL, bringing together trial management experts, statisticians and the wider research community to design and deliver a trial with patient benefit at the centre.

The team at the CRCTU is proud to work with 5 patient advocates, who sit on the Trial Management Group and Trial Steering Committee and form the Glo-BNHL Patient Advisory Group, and with leading academics and clinicians from around the world.  Crucially, the CRCTU involves Early Career Researchers to ensure that the next generation of researchers can learn from today’s leaders.

Find out more about the Glo-BNHL trial here.

How to Be a Great Chief Investigator for Clinical Trials – New Workshop Date Announced

Posted on by s.l.williams1@leeds.ac.uk

The UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) Network is delighted to announce the next in its series of workshops: “How to be a Great Chief Investigator for Clinical Trials”, taking place on 27 January 2026 at Queen Mary University London.

Feedback from the pilot series of workshops in 2024 was overwhelmingly positive, leading to an expanded programme for 2025 – 2028. The initiative has already welcomed over 160 delegates across five sessions, with four more currently planned for 2026.

All sessions to date have received CPD accreditation, ensuring participants’ professional development is recognised.

The workshop is designed to equip researchers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as Chief Investigators, through:

~ Expert guidance from experienced Chief Investigators with a diverse range of backgrounds and specialties.

~ The opportunity to meet and gain insights from specialists at Registered CTUs, including statisticians and trial managers.

~ Interactive activities to develop practical understanding of the issues.

~ A collaborative learning environment that fosters peer support.

A key feature of the workshop is the opportunity to develop your own peer-support network, enabling ongoing collaboration and shared learning beyond the event.

For further information, and to secure your place, please click here.

Improved outcomes for patients and participants through knowledge-sharing and collaboration is central to the UKCRC Registered CTU Network’s mission, as outlined in its 2025 – 2030 Strategy:

“Our commitment to innovation and learning ensures trials are designed and delivered with excellence, maximising impact while minimising waste.”

This programme also supports the Network’s priorities to develop and nurture the CTU leaders of the future, ensuring sustainability and excellence in clinical research, and to provide an open and supportive environment across both CTUs and the wider research community.

Find out more about the Network’s Strategy for 2025 – 2030, please click here.

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Health & Social Care Research Wales
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MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership
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