Cancer Clinical Trials

Mission Statement

The mission of our Cancer Clinical Trials Team is to advance the field of cancer treatment by conducting innovative and impactful clinical trials. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals, researchers, data managers and support staff is committed to improving patient outcomes and quality of life through the development and evaluation of novel cancer treatments. We are committed to maintaining data collection and reporting standards, insuring the integrity and accuracy of our research. With a patient centred approach, we strive to provide access to cutting-edge therapies, personalised care and comprehensive support to individuals affected by cancer. By collaborating with national and international partners, we aim to contribute to the global effort in finding effective and safe treatments ultimately working towards a future where cancer is no longer a devastating disease.  

Our Team

We are staffed by a highly-skilled team of research nurses, data managers, a clinical trials pharmacy team, consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors, research assistant and a trials team manager. Our clinical director is Professor Ray McDermott, Consultant Medical Oncologist.

How to access this service

If you are a patient of Tallaght University Hospital, please ask your cancer doctor if there is a trial suitable for you. 

If you are a patient at another hospital and you are interested in a cancer trial that is open here, then please ask your cancer doctor to refer you to the doctor at Tallaght University Hospital who is conducting the trial or contact 01 4144209

What is a Cancer Trial?

Cancer clinical trials are medical research trials involving patients with cancer. Cancer clinical trials aim to improve outcomes for cancer and give patients with cancer a better quality of life.

Most trials involve testing new types of drug therapy for cancer, new combinations of drug therapies or new surgery techniques or devices. Every trial is led by a medical doctor and a research team who will look after you during your treatment.

There are several phases of clinical trials:  Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4. Most clinical trials are randomised and they involve two or more treatment arms; this means that you will be randomly assigned to one of the arms.

Randomisation ensures that the trial is fair and that the results are reliable. You may not be assigned to the new treatment arm and this might disappoint you.

Some trials may involve a placebo. A placebo can look like a real drug but it does not affect the body. Placebos are used when there is no standard treatment to compare the new treatment to, or in combination with another approved treatment. Cancer trials are highly regulated and follow a long and careful research process to make sure they are as safe as possible

Who can take part in a clinical trial?

All trials have guidelines about who can and cannot take part. These are sometimes called eligibility or inclusion criteria. For example, a trial may only include people with a certain type of cancer and stage of cancer. Trials also have guidelines about who cannot take part. These are called exclusion criteria and in some cases you may find you are not eligible for a trial based on these exclusion criteria.

Your cancer doctor or research nurse can tell you if a certain trial is suitable for you.

If I am interested in participating in a trial, what is the next step?

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, then please ask your cancer doctor if there are any suitable trials for you. If there is a suitable trial, then you will be provided with a patient information leaflet (PIL) and informed consent form.

This is a detailed document that tells you everything about the trial. The trial will be fully explained to you by your cancer doctor and research nurse. You will be advised to take the PIL home and discuss it with your family and friends and a follow-up appointment will be made for you.

When you attend for the follow-up appointment, the trial will be discussed again and if you wish to participate then you will sign the informed consent form.

You will then be 'screened' for the trial; this involves various tests and assessments and this may take a few weeks. If you are deemed eligible, then you will be randomised to one of the treatment arms on the trial and your treatment will commence.

How will I benefit?

Taking part in a trial means you may benefit from a new treatment that might not be available, except in the trial setting.

You will be closely monitored throughout the trial by the research team and there will be a research nurse that you can liaise with. Whilst you are on a clinical trial you may have to attend the hospital more frequently and have more frequent blood tests and CT scans. Some patients find this reassuring.

Are there any risks or drawbacks?

With any trial, as with any cancer treatment, there is a risk that the treatment could cause unwanted side effects or the treatment you receive on the trial may not benefit you. You could get unpleasant or unexpected side effects. During the trial, researchers try to reduce these risks as much as possible.

Taking part in a trial may involve additional visits to the hospital which may be an inconvenience for you and your family.

Will it cost me anything to participate in a clinical trial

There will be no additional costs to you. Any additional tests associated with the trial will be paid for by the trial sponsor. You may have to visit the hospital more frequently as part of the trial and in this case, your travel expenses may be reimbursed. Please talk to the research nurse about this.

How long do trials last

Cancer trials typically last for many years. Depending on the phase of the trial there may be hundreds or even thousands of patients enrolled on it at many hospitals all over the world.

Your participation in the trial may last for a set number of weeks or months or for several years as we will continue to follow-up with you long after your treatment has stopped.

Can I withdraw from a trial

You are free to withdraw from a clinical trial at any time. Your participation is entirely voluntary. You will need to inform your research team of your desire to withdraw and they will discuss other treatment options with you. Your decision to withdraw will not affect your future care.

All patient’s data is protected as per GDPR, (the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Health Research Regulations 2018) & clinical trial legislation requirements.

Benefits vs Risks

Benefits

• All cancer treatment and interventions offered to patients today have come about because of a clinical trial
• Clinical trials provide more information on cancer types and how to best treat them. Some people choose to participate in a clinical trial in order to help future patients with the same condition
• Clinical trials testing new treatments allow patients to access treatments that are not yet available to the public
• Patients on a clinical trial may be more closely monitored than usual. This gives the patient more contact with their treating team

Risks

• New treatments may not prove to be effective
• Patients may be worried about participating in a clinical trial, as our understanding of how the patient’s cancer or body responds to the new treatment is limited
• Clinical trials can be intensive and may require many visits to the centre for reviews, tests and scans. This may not be the best fit for some patients who live far away or have other work or family commitments

Cancer Research Patient Representative Group (PRG)

Are you or a family member, participating in Cancer Research in St James’s Hospital (SJH), Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) or Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT)?

Would you like to be a member of a Patient Representative Group (PRG)?

The PRG brings together people who have or are undergoing cancer research and care, to influence and contribute their perspective on cancer research in Ireland.

If you are interested in joining the group, or have any questions, please contact:

Ashley Bazin (Cancer trials team manager) - 01 4143822