Cancer patients in Leicester have access to early phase oncology clinical trials through the Hope Clinical Trials Centre which is a dedicated clinical area where the team looks after all patients taking part in clinical studies for both haematological malignancies and solid tumours. It is the only such unit in the Midlands and attracts referrals from far afield. The Centre's partnership with the Leicester NIHR Clinical Research Facility has generated and sustained a critical mass of infrastructure providing the capability to perform all phases of studies including first in human. Leicester has an exceptional track record exemplified by the number of companies that use us as preferred partners and over the last 5-years we have worked with 64 companies in 46 disease areas. Leicester is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in England and Wales and studies are ongoing to explore clinical trial engagement among underserved groups to ensure equity of access for cancer patients of all ethnicities.
Unique Selling Points
ctDNA profiling for detection and stratification of cancer. In Leicester, Professor Jacqui Shaw’s lab is internationally recognised as leaders in this field. The group has demonstrated a patient-specific ctDNA method to detect preclinical metastasis up to 2-years ahead of clinical relapse that allows for longitudinal monitoring of patients with breast cancer regardless of molecular sub-type.
Prevention
Leicester is one of the leading cancer centres in the world renowned for work in cancer prevention with focus on the discovery, preclinical development and clinical evaluation of therapies for the prevention of cancer. This includes investigating repurposed drugs and natural compounds such as resveratrol and curcumin.
Personalising mesothelioma treatment.
Leicester is the UK’s leading national referral centre for systemic therapy and has consistently played a leading role in national and global randomised trials. The Leicester-led MiST trial is the world’s first personalised therapy umbrella trial which aims to accelerate the identification of effective stratified therapy for mesothelioma and seeks to become the dominant UK platform for UK investigator led trials in mesothelioma.
Preclinical models enabling drug and biomarker discovery
Professor Catrin Pritchard’s lab has pioneered an innovative patient-derived explant platform that contextually conserves human tumour architecture for drug testing and biomarker validation. Professor Pritchard has numerous industry collaborators.
Personalised treatment in B cell malignancies
Leicester has led on global first in man/early phase clinical trials. The ONO/GS-4059 phase 1 study demonstrated a practice changing improvement of median survival to 44.9 months with limited toxicities.
Our patient population
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is one of the busiest Cancer Centres in the UK; Q2 2018-2019 8680 patients were diagnosed. Through the South East Midlands Oncology Centre, UHL serves a population of 3 million.
Organisations affliated with the Leicester ECMC:
Our location
We are located in the East Midlands conveniently situated for road and rails links being 4 miles from the M1/M69 junction and 10 minutes on foot from Leicester train station. For international travel, Leicester ECMC is 22 miles from East Midlands Airport
Contact the Centre Manager:
Stephanie Moutrey
