Clinical trials in Ireland offer hope to improve lives of cancer patients

Dr Su Maung

Consultant Haematologist, Secretary/Treasurer, Haematology Association of Ireland
Consultant Haematologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin

Regulated clinical cancer trials in Ireland have contributed to advances in blood cancers. They have promoted patient access, awareness and involvement. Clinical trials have helped over 33,500 patients since the year 2000.

Current cancer treatments are approved with evidence-based data from many clinical trials. Clinical trials in Ireland are highly regulated by Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and the clinical trial team closely monitor participating patients.

Impact of clinical trials on blood cancer

Haematology clinical trials examine new — or a combination of existing and new — therapies for newly diagnosed and relapsed patients with blood cancers. There are several clinical trials ongoing in Ireland for patients with lymphoma, CLL, acute leukaemia, multiple myeloma and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Translational studies examine disease markers for diagnostic and prognostic information. Other translational studies examine non-pharmacological interventions for improving comfort and quality of life in cancer patients. For example, Sleepio After Cancer Study (SACS) is recruiting women with current or prior cancer diagnoses who have difficulty sleeping.

Clinical trials helping patients in Ireland

Cancer Trials Ireland is a registered charity and the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. It aims to provide every patient with access to high-quality and potentially life-altering cancer trials and to make Ireland an attractive location to open cancer trials.

Since 2000, 623 cancer trials have opened in Ireland, with over 33,500 patients taking part. In 2022, a survey of public attitudes revealed that three in five people in Ireland would take part in a clinical trial. The Charity is partly funded by the Health Research Board and the Irish Cancer Society. It also receives income from pharmaceutical companies and international research groups, as well as through philanthropic giving and donations from members of the public.

In 2022, a survey of public attitudes revealed
that three in five people in Ireland
would take part in a clinical trial.

Giving patients power over their journeys

Cancer Trials Ireland also promotes public awareness and understanding of clinical trials through ‘Just Ask’ campaigns. The Patient Consultants Committee (PCC) is a sub-group of the Charity and focuses on public and patient involvement in clinical trials. This patient group contributes to the delivery and design of clinical trial activities.

In addition, educational events for individual disease areas within Haematology deliver information and support to targeted groups of patients, families and carers. Patient information days for Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Lymphoma are hosted annually at different locations around Ireland.

By guiding patients and including them in every step, clinical trials and support initiatives can create a greater impact. This can help improve the lives of more patients and their families.