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2023 Year in Review

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2023 was a bumper year for the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster. From an exceptional increase in accrual across numerous new research studies, to greeting our new colleagues who will enhance the Cluster's expertise.

Numerous process improvement activities took place to enhance the quality of research and services provided to our patients, some of which have been highlighted in the 'News & Events' section of our website. Below, we highlight some key achievements in 2023 and look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store.

Research Accrual Success

We saw an unprecedented surge in recruitment this year, with over 500 people with cancer enrolled onto research studies, of which, 169 were enrolled onto interventional studies. 

From clinical trials to translational and survivorship studies, research active clinical sites provide better care and outcomes to people with cancer. 

Before the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster existed, the average annual recruitment was 158 people. As such, 2023 marks an tripling in accrual meaning that more patients than ever have had access to cutting edge research. 

 the text '500+ patients enrolled onto research studies' with graphics of lab equipment next to a person recieving chemotherapy
   
the number 17 surround by the text 'new studies opened' and images of pill bottles, IV drips, and surveys.

New Studies

Over the course of the year, we opened 17 unique new studies. These included clinical trials to treat different cancer types, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, lung, metastatic colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate as well as cancer-related symptoms, such as insomnia, hot flashes, and venous thromboembolism.

We also opened a number of non-interventional studies exploring the view of people with cancer and the language used to describe them, biological mechanisms of blood clot, and fertility issues.

All of our current studies are listed here.
   

New Team Members

We were lucky this year to be joined by some fantastic new colleagues, from Research Nurses and Data Managers, to new consultant oncologist and haematologists. 

We would like to wish a warm welcome to Chinju Anthony (Research Nurse, MMUH), Tara Byrne (Data Manager, MMUH), Dr Darren Cowzer (Consultant Oncologist, MMUH), Dr Emily Harrold (Consultant Oncologist, MMUH), Annie Keely (Research Nurse, MMUH), Dr Geraldine O'Sullivan Coyne (Consultant Oncologist, MMUH), Dr Maryese Power (Consultant Haematologist, SVUH), Remya Remani (Research Nurse, SVUH), and Grace Maria Sujan (Research Nurse, MMUH).

 text saying 'our team grew by 9 people' next to a graphic of the sun and four plants increasing in size from left to righ.
   
graphic of three people piecing together a multicoloured jigsaw puzzle. The text reads '50+ people contributed to the operations of our cluster'

A Collaborative Approach

The UCD Cancer Trials Cluster is a collaborative initiative between UCD, the Mater and St Vincent's Hospitals, and the Cancer Clinical Research Trust.

More to the point, it is a collaboration between people. Over 50 people directly contribute to our working groups and our operations, leadership, and advisory committees! Working together to improve patient outcomes, our collaborative team is made up of clinicians, researchers, nurses, data managers, research support staff, and patient advocates.
   

Publish or Peril

The sharing of research findings is an integral component of research. Our cluster take this very seriously and have contributed to over 50 academic peer-reviewed publications in 2023.

These publications include articles in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, the world's leading medical journal, as well as local issues, such as the impact of COVID-19 on Irish women with breast cancer. 

All of our publications are listed here. 

 infographic showing a picture of an article and text saying that over 50 articles were published by members of cluster

Contact the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster

UCD Clinical Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4
E: cancertrials@ucd.ie