About Our Research Networks

National Research Scotland (NRS) Cancer is supported by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government to increase, support and sustain clinical trial activity in cancer care in partnership with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC).

The fundamental aim of NRS Cancer is to support the recruitment of cancer patients into clinical research and so contribute to improving the quality of cancer care for patients across Scotland. This has been achieved by improving the supportive research infrastructure in NHS Cancer Services in Scotland. Key aims include:

• Breadth of portfolio – Support recruitment to a range of trials, not just common cancers
• Randomised Controlled Trial focus – Support recruitment to therapy trials
• Translational research – Work in partnership with the Experimental Cancer Medicine Network (ECMC) or equivalent
• Equity of access – facilitate access to clinical trials outside the main Cancer Centres.

NRS Cancer is led by NHS Research Scotland Cancer Research Network, Clinical Lead Professor Jeff Evans and is divided into regions: North, East, South East and West. Each region has a Network Manager to support their regional trial portfolio and research teams. The clinical research supported by NRS Cancer is peer-reviewed, quality research that is included in the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) clinical trial portfolio or considered eligible by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in Scotland.

Every person taking part in research is helping the fight against cancer. Cancer trials in Scotland cover many different types of cancer and are open at hospitals throughout Scotland. Please ask your cancer professional for more information on cancer clinical trials.

Background

National Research Scotland Cancer – South East was one of the three Scottish Cancer Research Networks established in 2003 with the support from Cancer in Scotland, the Chief Scientist’s Office and Information Services Division (ISD). NRS Cancer – SE covers NHS Borders, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Fife and NHS Lothian Health Board areas, with a population of around 1.4 million and supports research across these regions. NRS Cancer – SE’s Management Team include the Experimental Cancer Research Network and Lothian R&D who meet bi-monthly. There is also a steering group for the Research Network which meets annually. NRS Cancer – SE is structured around disease-specific teams to maximise the support for research, both within the Cancer Centre and in local Cancer Units across the region. Research staff based in local Cancer Units cover different disease sites but link in with each of the disease-specific teams.

The South East Cancer Research Network (SESCRN) covers Fife, Lothians, Borders and Dumfries & Galloway Health Board areas, with a population of around 1.4 million and supports research in this region. The SESCRN brings together many partners undertaking research such as Cancer Research UK, Scottish Cancer Research Network, the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Edinburgh University and the many researchers who work with the patients who have agreed to be involved in research. This has allowed us to provide a research service in which all the staff work to the same procedures and standards to provide the best service we can for patients.

Relationships are being developed with R&D Leads/Managers in the four Health Board areas – R&D personnel in Borders and Dumfries have responsibility for research activity in both acute and primary care whereas Lothian and Fife have separate R&D Leads/Managers for each.

Who We Are

The South East Scottish Cancer Research Network (SESCRN), is overseen by a Clinical Lead and a Network Manager. They are supported by a Clinical Nurse Manager, an Assistant Service Manager, Research Nurses, Tissue Consenter Processors, Data Managers and a Clinical Trial Support Officer.

Each member of the team has a crucial role in the clinical trial process, from setting up studies and agreeing contracts to screening the patients for suitability to take part in the trial through organising trial tests and procedures, delivering the large portfolio of various trial treatments,, blood and tissue sampling and data capture and recording. This helps in the advancement of new treatments designed to benefit patients and offer them more targeted therapies.

More Information

Please see the Clinical Trials page for further information.

Delivering early phase clinical trials and translational research.

The ECMC focus is on the delivery of early phase clinical trials and facilitating translational studies. The clinical trials team have a strong reputation for its high quality trial management and data collection with emphasis on patient safety, attracting studies specifically to Edinburgh. Our team is composed of clinical and research leads, research nurses, data managers and IT developers. The Edinburgh ECMC operates in close cooperation with Glasgow ECMC to unify molecular testing and patient allocation to studies, as a whole-Scotland approach to patients accessing Phase I trials.

Our current priorities, include:

• First-in-human drug development
• Improving treatments for brain cancer
• Targeting molecular sub-types of ovarian cancer
• Cancer immunotherapy
• Personalisation of radiotherapy
• Haematological malignancies
• Prevention and early detection

The underlying scientific activities associated with early phase clinical studies include multiomic characterisation of tumour samples at genomic, transcriptomic and protein levels, tumour imaging and pathology studies, cancer data science activities, immuno-oncology (including kinase inhibitor combinations), tumour evolution and resistance to standard and novel therapies, and bio-markers: PK, PD, response and resistance prediction.

ECMC studies and clinical trials that involve tissue collection work closely with the Institute of Genetics and Cancer Host and Tumour Profiling Unit (HTPU).

ECMC plays also important role in supporting the training and development of future leaders in experimental cancer medicine.

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The Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre aims to translate the latest discovery science into patient benefit. It is funded by Cancer Research UK and is a partnership between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, NHS Lothian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

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Edinburgh Cancer Research brings together cancer scientists and clinicians from across the University of Edinburgh, delivering outstanding cancer research and improved patient care. Our scientific and technological expertise results in new therapies being developed for patients faster.

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The South-East Scottish Cancer Research Network has a group of people who are interested in being involved in the development, design and conduct of your Research.

They can help with, for example:

• sharing knowledge and insights on their condition
• explaining your research in understandable ways
• improving patient information leaflets
• helping to design your research

If you would like further information please contact:

Lois Eddie at lois.eddie@nhs.scot or

Susan Crate at susan.crate@nhs.scot

For further support to aid your work in PPI you can visit the CRUK toolkit which will help you plan and deliver your patient and public involvement.

Please visit:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/patient-involvement-toolkit-for-researchers