Investigating the Tumour Immune Response of Radiotherapy
This study aims to understand how your body’s immune system reacts to standard radiotherapy for cancer. The researchers want to see what changes happen to immune cells before and after you receive radiation treatment. They will be looking at this in several types of cancer, including cervical, rectal, head and neck cancer, and certain skin and lymph gland cancers. To do this, they will collect small tissue samples (biopsies) and blood samples at different times during your treatment journey. This helps them learn more about how radiotherapy works at a cellular level, which could lead to better treatments in the future. It's about gathering information, not testing new drugs.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is designed to help doctors understand more about how radiotherapy – a common cancer treatment – affects your body's immune system. Think of your immune system as your body's defence force. The researchers want to see how this 'defence force' changes before and after you have radiation treatment for cancer. They are specifically looking at this in people with cervical, rectal, head and neck cancer, certain types of lymphoma (cancer of the lymph glands), and specific skin cancers.
The main goal is to collect small tissue samples, called biopsies, and blood samples at different stages of your treatment. These samples will be carefully analysed to observe the immune changes. This isn't a study where you try a new medicine; instead, it's about gathering important information from people undergoing standard cancer care. By understanding these immune changes, doctors hope to find ways to make radiotherapy even more effective in the future.
Taking part would help researchers learn vital information that could benefit many people with cancer down the line. It's a way for you to contribute to medical knowledge simply by allowing doctors to collect extra samples during your routine treatment.
Key takeaways
- This study investigates how radiotherapy affects your immune system.
- It involves collecting blood and tissue samples before and after radiotherapy.
- The study is for people with specific cancer types, including cervical, rectal, and head and neck cancer.
- You will receive standard treatment; no new drugs are being tested.
- Your participation helps improve future cancer care for others.
- You can stop participating at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To be able to join this study, you would need to have been diagnosed with cancer, specifically one of the following types: cervical, rectal, head and neck cancer, or certain types of lymphoma or skin cancer. Your cancer can be in different stages, from early to more advanced. You must also be planning to have radiotherapy as part of your treatment.
The study is for adults aged 18 or older, and there's no upper age limit. Doctors will also need to confirm that you are fit enough to have the samples collected and that a previous tissue sample taken for your diagnosis is suitable for further research.
There are also some reasons you might not be able to join. For example, if your doctor thinks taking a biopsy during or after radiotherapy isn't safe for you, or if you've recently had chemotherapy. You also can't have certain long-term infections like Hepatitis B, C, or HIV, or you would need to be tested for them.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Do I have cervical, rectal, head and neck, nodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cutaneous lymphoma, or cutaneous squamous/basal cell carcinoma?
- Am I planning to have radiotherapy for my cancer?
- Am I 18 years old or older?
- Have I recently had chemotherapy (within the last 28 days)?
- Am I willing to have blood and tissue samples collected?
- Have I been tested for Hepatitis B, C, or HIV, and the result is negative?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you would provide some small tissue samples (biopsies) and blood samples. At least one biopsy will be taken during or after your radiotherapy. If a previous biopsy from your diagnosis isn't suitable, you might need to have another one before starting treatment. Blood samples will be taken several times: at the beginning, during or after radiotherapy, and possibly at the very end of your treatment if you're still having radiotherapy when an earlier sample is taken.
All these sample collections would be part of your treatment journey, but they are extra steps for the study. The total duration of your participation would depend on your radiotherapy schedule and when the samples are collected. The doctors supervising your care will make sure you are suitable for these extra steps.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Christie NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeManchester, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is the study trying to find out?
It wants to see how your body's immune system changes when you have radiotherapy for cancer.
Will I get a new treatment in this study?
No, you will receive standard radiotherapy. The study is for gathering information, not testing new drugs.
What kind of samples will be collected?
You will have small tissue samples (biopsies) and blood samples taken at different times.
How long will I be in the study?
Your involvement depends on your radiotherapy schedule and when the samples are taken. It's tied to your treatment journey.
Can I stop participating if I change my mind?
Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your usual medical care.
How to find out more
Lois Gardner
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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