One of NCRI’s strategic strengths is our ability to bring together cancer research funders from the UK and worldwide to work together to advance cancer research. We use cross-sector knowledge to support the development of organisations’ research strategies and influence research practices on a global scale.
Developing international clinical trial guidance
SPIRIT-Path is a project to develop international guidance on the inclusion of pathology in clinical trial protocols. The SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statement provides evidence-based recommendations for the minimum content of a clinical trial protocol. It is widely endorsed as an international standard for trial protocols.
To develop international, consensus-based guidance on pathology-specific protocols in the form of an extension to the SPIRIT statement, we worked with 80 experts from over 14 countries across Asia, Africa, Australasia, Europe and North America.
Extending the SPIRIT statement to include pathology will:
- Lead to more comprehensive clinical trial protocols
- Enhance clinical trial design and drug development through early pathology input
- Increase the number and availability of trial-active pathologists by raising the profile of pathologists in clinical trials
Strategic development
Utilising funding data and cross-sector knowledge, we are in a unique position to support our Partners as they develop their research strategies.
Blood Cancer UK
NCRI used CaRD to understand research funding trends across different types of blood cancer, locations, research type, and organisations.
Blood Cancer UK used this insight to understand which areas were over or underfunded and any other unexpected patterns that would help inform their research strategy.
The NCRI CaRD database helped us to visualise trends across blood cancer research funding and identify further questions to interrogate the landscape.
Dr Fatima Sulaiman, Head of Research, Blood Cancer UK
Children with Cancer
In 2014 NCRI, alongside the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP), analysed the nature and volume of childhood cancer research in the UK compared with other countries to benchmark UK activity against work elsewhere.
In 2020 NCRI updated this analysis to support Children with Cancer UK as part of their research strategy development. The key findings were also discussed at a meeting of the NCRI Children’s Group.
NCRI’s analysis on childhood and young adult cancer research spend has provided us with a clear perspective of the changing funding landscape and Children with Cancer UK’s role within that. It will be a key resource in our strategy development going forward.
Dr Jasmine Parkinson, Research Grants Manager, Children with Cancer UK
Prostate Cancer Research
Prostate Cancer Research used several research methods, including data from the NCRI CaRD database, to produce a research ecosystem report and inform their strategy.
Using data from the NCRI CaRD Database significantly strengthened our report. It helped us build an evidence base for some of the challenges that affect both prostate and other cancers.
Dr Naomi Elster, Head of Research and Communications, Prostate Cancer Research