Current Research

The types of research currently undertaken at the Trust are varied, from complex clinical trials, qualitative health service research, registries, post-marketing surveillance to trainee doctors and students doing low risk, own account studies. Much of this research has been adopted by the National Institute of Health Research (approx 90%) with a small number of commercial/pharmaceutical (independent of NIHR) making up the rest. 

Cancer Research

Breast

ROSCO: Response to Optimal Selection of neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable breast cancer: A randomised phase III, stratified biomarker trial of neo­adjuvant 5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide vs Docetaxel and Cyclophphamide chemotherapy.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Jo Dent

ATNEC: A randomised trial investigating the requirement for axillary treatment, after chemotherapy, for patients with early stage breast cancer.

Principal Investigator (PI): Ms Werbena Hamilton-Burke

MARECA: National study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcome.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Richard Frame 

POETIC-A: Pre-Operative Endocrine Therapy for Individualised Care with Abemaciclib

Principal Investigator (PI): Ms Werbena Hamilton-Burke 

DESTINY BREAST - RESPOND: A multi-center, multi-country prospective observational study of patients initiating T-DXd in the first or second treatment line for HER2+, and HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Jo Dent

Colorectal

YCRBCIP: Yorkshire Cancer Research Bowel Cancer Improvement Programme. Does intensive multidisciplinary team intervention improve bowel cancer outcomes in Yorkshire?

Principal Investigator (PI): Ms Paula Pickersgill 

OnCoRe: Oncological Outcomes after Clinical Complete Response (cCR) in patients with rectal cancer.

Principal Investigator (PI): Miss Tamsyn Grey

FOxTROT2: Personalising neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally advanced but operable colon cancer. A randomised trial programme.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sam Turnbull 

ARIEL: A biomarker enrichment trial of anti-EGFR agents in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (aCRC) with wild-type RAS and right primary tumour location (right-PTL).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sam Turnbull

TRACC-C: Tracking mutations in cell free tumour DNA to predict relapse in early colorectal cancer.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sam Turnbull

Haematology

CML Registry: The study programme to investigate modern trends in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Kate Rothwell

FLAIR: This is a phase III, multicentre, randomised, controlled, open, parallel group trial in patients with previously untreated CLL.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Kate Rothwell

MYELOMA XIV (FITNESS): A phase III trial to compare standard and frailty-adjusted induction therapy with ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD) and maintenance lenalidomide (R) to lenalidomide plus ixazomib (R+I).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

RADAR (UK-MRA Myeloma XV): Risk-Adapted therapy Directed According to Response comparing treatment escalation and de-escalation strategies in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (NDMM) suitable for stem cell transplant (TE).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

IONA-MM: A non-interventional, multinational, observational study with isatuximab in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

AMGEN ARANESP: Use of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) in Patients Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy in Europe and the UK.

Chief Investigator (CI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

BGB-3111-308: A Phase 3 Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Study of Zanubrutinib (BGB 3111) Plus Anti-CD20 Antibodies Versus Lenalidomide Plus Rituximab in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Follicular or Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

Lung

NIMBLE: Nodule Immunophenotyping biomarker for lung cancer early diagnosis study.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Steven Thomas

REFINE-LUNG: A randomised open-label phase III trial of Reduced Frequency pembrolizumab immuNothErapy for first line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) utilising a novel multi-arm frequency-response optimisation design.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Rathbone

Pancreatic

PRECISION-Panc: Advancing personalised medicine treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Rathbone

PRIMUS 001: An adaptive phase II study of FOLFOX-A (FOLFOX and nab-paclitaxel) versus AG (nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, with integrated biomarker evaluation.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Rathbone

UK-EDI: UK Early Detection Initiative for Pancreatic Cancer. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sabari Haridass

Prostate

STAMPEDE: Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug Efficacy

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Uschi Hofmann

Other

ICI Genetics: Identification of genetic factors that predispose to immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity.  Participants recruited from all forms of cancer. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Rathbone

ENTIA LIBERTY: Home Study. Evaluation of patient preference for a novel full blood count home testing device versus routine venous monitoring

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Deiva Ramanujam

APPROACH: An app for health & wellbeing after cancer – a randomised controlled trial.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Nicky Hill

Other Specialty Research

Anaesthesia

POPPY:  Patient reported outcomes, postoperative pain and pain relief after day case surgery

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Marcus Beadle

Cardiovasular

EVAREST: The use of blood biomarkers, including Extracellular Vesicles, to improve the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac assessment by stress echocardiogram.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Jeremy Butts

EASY-AS: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Early valve replacement in severe ASYmptomatic Aortic Stenosis.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Hossam Elmahy

Physical activity levels of FH patients: Physical activity levels of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia patients and do they meet the current NICE recommendations.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jillian Webster

ZODIAC: Implementation of a Decision Support System and its effect on early optimisation of Lipid-Lowering Therapies in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: a cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Azeem Sheikh

CONNECT: A cluster randomised controlled feasibility study of CONNECT: a patient decision aid designed to improve the quality of shared decision-making for planned coronary angioplasty.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Azeem Sheikh

AMEND-CRT: Assessment of Mechanical Dyssynchrony as Selection Criterion for Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Hossam Elmahy

Dermatology

BADBIR: British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register

Principal Investigator (PI): Tracy Tatchell-Adams

Emergency Care

SHED: Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in the Emergency Department.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Huw Masson

CRASH-4: Intramuscular tranexamic acid for the treatment of symptomatic mild traumatic brain injury in older adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Huw Masson

Endocrinology

IONIS CORE: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study of ISIS 678354 Administered Subcutaneously to Patients with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sabari Haridass

ENT

HPV in Tonsillar Tissue: Investigation into the infectivity levels of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in tonsillar tissue.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Khaled Diab

Gastrointestinal

PRED 4: Predicting serious drug side effects in gastroenterology.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sunil Sonwalker

IBD BioResource: The UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bioresource: Progressing from Genetics to Function and Clinical Translation in Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sunil Sonwalker

GONDOMAR: Goals, Needs and outcome Determinants Of Multimodal therapy in Perianal Crohn's fistula.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Mohammed Allah-Ditta

ABX464-105: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABX464 once daily for induction treatment in subjects with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Mohamed Yousif

Health Service & Delivery Research

FALLS: Practices of falls risk assessment and prevention in acute hospital settings: A realist investigation.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Abhijit Chakraborty

PQIP Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme: A patient study improving perioperative care through the use of quality data. Gathering and analysis of patient data using the PQIP Database. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Alex Spyridoulias

Physician Associate post-qualification Training in UK hospitals: Experiences of newly qualified PAs and their employers.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sarah Howarth (PhD)

Haematology

MDS Registry for newly diagnosed patients: A prospective, multicentre European Registry for newly diagnosed patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes of IPSS low and intermediate-1 subtypes

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Kate Rothwell

MIRTHRIDATE: A phase III, randomised, open-label, Multicenter International Trial comparing ruxolitinib with either HydRoxycarbamIDe or interferon Alpha as first line ThErapy for high risk polycythemia vera.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Sylvia Feyler

Hepatology

PBC Genetics Study: Investigation of the Genetic and Molecular Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

rincipal Investigator (PI): Dr Susan Jones

NAFLD BioResource: A Research Study to Characterise Novel Clinical and Genetic Phenotypes, and Understand the Natural History of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Puneet Chhabra

ALLHEAL: Alcohol and Liver Health.

Principal Investigator (PI):  Dr Swastik Agrawal

Infection

DURATION-UTI: Impact of duration of antibiotic treatment on symptoms, recovery and antibiotic resistance in adult women with urinary tract infections (UTIs): a randomised controlled trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rangaprasad Karadi

Maternity

OASI2: Evaluation of strategies for care bundle implentation. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Midwife Rachel Clifford & Dr Ranadeb Acharyya

CRAFT: CeRclage After Full dilaTation caesarean section; an investigation into the role of previous in labour caesarean section in future preterm birth risk and potential management strategies.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Tahira Naeem

TTTS Registry: A physician-run Multiple Pregnancy Registry in collaboration with the Twin & Multiple Births Association (TAMBA), designed to serve the interests of patients while overcoming challenges of sharing data over great distances while protecting patient privacy.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Fifydani Shamsudin

CAPE: Calcium Supplementation for Prevention of Pre-eclampsia in High Risk Women.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Fifydani Shamsudin

GBS3: The clinical and cost-effectiveness of testing for Group B Streptococcus: a cluster randomised trial with economic and acceptability evaluations.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Julie Goddard

TTTS Registry: A physician-run Multiple Pregnancy Registry in collaboration with the Twin & Multiple Births Association (TAMBA), designed to serve the interests of patients while overcoming challenges of sharing data over great distances while protecting patient privacy.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Fifydani Shamsudin

CaPE: Calcium Supplementation for Prevention of Pre-eclampsia in High Risk Women.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Fifydani Shamsudin

GBS3: The clinical and cost-effectiveness of testing for Group B Streptococcus: a cluster randomised trial with economic and acceptability evaluations.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Julie Goddard

CHAPTER: CHildbirth Acquired Perineal TRauma Study A cohort study

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Tina Verghese

SUNNY: A Randomised Controlled Trial to investigate the Feasibility and Acceptability of SnacktivityTM in Pregnant Women. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Rebecca Leon

EVOLVE: Evaluating the effectiveness of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 on reducing perinatal mortality.

Principal Investigator (PI): Rebecca Leon

MINESS 20-28: Mothers Working to Prevent Early Stillbirth Study 20-28.

Principal Investigator (PI): Rebecca Leon

OBS UK: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of a maternity quality improvement programme to reduce excess bleeding and need for transfusion after childbirth.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mohamed Wahby

Musculoskeletal

BSRBR: Toxicity from biologic therapy

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Omer Sharif 

INSPIRE: INjectable treatments for patients with Shoulder Pain: a prospective observatIonal study to deteRmine Efficacy: Does injection treatment improve 26-week shoulder symptoms? A multi-centre, observational, prospective study.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rajesh Menon

IMID: Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases BioResource - Part of NIHR BioResource.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Omer Sharif

Neurological

Validation of translational biomarkers of neuropathic pain: RECRUITMENT SUSPENDED The Identification and validation of translational biomarkers of Neuropathic Pain.  A matched cohort study investigating biomarkers in several sub-group populations of Neuropathic Pain.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rajesh Menon

MIDI: Deep Learning for Identification of Abnormalities on Head MRI.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mrs Georgina Turner

MiNDToolkit Feasibility Study: Practical Management of Cognitive and Behavioural Impairment in Motor Neurone Disease.

Prinicpal Investigator (PI): Beth Macdonald

Ophthalmology

GRIP Glaucoma Risk Prediction in ocular hypertension: a cohort study using electronic medical records to validate a risk predictor and determine the cost-effectiveness of different monitoring schemes according to risk of conversion to glaucoma.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Omar Rafiq

SEARCH: Visual scanning training for hemianopia. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Rachael Calvey

Patient-practitioner communication in AMD: Investigating the delivery and impact of patient-practitioner communication in modifying lifestyle of people with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Indra Dias

ATHENA: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography for the detection of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: a Comprehensive Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Indra Dias

Other Speciality

Physical activity levels of FH patients: Physical activity levels of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia patients and do they meet the current NICE recommendations.

Principal Investigator (PI): Jillian Webster

Paediatric

Cleft Collective: Cohort Studies - a large DNA backed prospective resource for the study of the genetic and environmental determinants of cleft lip and/or palate and the long term outcomes in children with cleft lip and/or palate.

Principal Investigator (PI): Rebecca Leon

Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Registry.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Amal Elnour

AZTEC-2: Long term follow-up of Azithromycin Therapy for Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Gill Sharpe

Rolandic Epilepsy Genomewide Association International Study (REGAIN): The study’s goal is to find the genetic basis for susceptibility to seizures and associated comorbidities for RE (Rolandic Epilepsy) using genomewide association approaches.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Matthew Taylor

AZTEC-2: Long term follow-up of Azithromycin Therapy for Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity.

Prinicipal Investigator (PI): Dr Gill Sharpe

CF START: The cystic fibrosis (CF) anti-staphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis trial (CF START); a randomised registry trial to assess the safety and efficacy of flucloxacillin as a longterm prophylaxis agent for infants with CF

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Abdul Mattara

FEED1 - Fluids Exclusively Enteral from Day 1:  A randomised controlled trial of full milk feeds versus intravenous fluids with gradual feeding for preterm infants (30-33 weeks gestational age).

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Abdul Mattara

WHEAT:  WithHolding Enteral Feeds Around Blood Transfusion – the WHEAT International Trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr James Houston

MAPS: Mental Health Admissions to Paediatric Wards Study - WP2 & WP3. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Angie Salmons

SPIROMAC: SPIROmetry to Manage Asthma in Children.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr James Houston

Physiotherapy

RaCeR 2: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of individualised (early) patient-directed rehabilitation versus standard rehabilitation after surgical repair of the rotator cuff of the shoulder: a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial with integrated Quintet Recruitment Intervention.

Principal Investigator (PI): Tash Maher

COMBINED: COmbining brief interventions for Modifiable health Behaviours withIN a physiotherapy consultation for pEople with a rotator cuff Disorder: development and testing in a single-arm feasibility study.

Principal Investigator (PI): Tash Maher

Renal & Urogenital

RADAR: National Studies of Rare Kidney Diseases

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rahul Vundru

Respiratory

EMBARC: European Bronchiectasis Registry

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rehan Naseer

BTS Registry:  RECRUITMENT SUSPENDED Obesity related severe asthma – relationship between body mass index and symptoms, healthcare utilisation, demographics, medications, blood test results and lung function.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Rehan Naseer

TIPAL: The effectiveness and risks of Treating people with Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis with the Addition of Lansoprazole: a randomised placebo-controlled multi-centre clinical trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Anneka Biswas

TB-DILI: Reintroduction of anti-tuberculosis therapy following drug-induced liver injury: a randomised controlled trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Nicholas Scriven

REMAP-CAP: Randomized, Embedded, Multifactorial, Adaptive Platform trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Jez Pinnell

ASPECT: Aspirin after hospitalisation with pneumonia to prevent cardiovascular events randomised controlled trial. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Purav Desai

SENSOR: Physiological and environmental data in a remote setting to predict exacerbation events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational study

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Andrew Hardy

Sexual Health

DEVA: Dequalinium versus usual care antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.  A multicentre randomised, open label, non-inferiority trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Street

Positive Voices - National Survey of People with HIV: Development and Implementation of Positive Voices: the National Survey of People Living with HIV.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Street

C2C Combine: Cabotegravir+Rilpivirine LA Regimen-A Prospective Cohort Study to Monitor Effectiveness, Adherence and Resistance

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Emma Street

Stroke

OPTIMAS: A randomised, controlled trial considering Optimal Timing of Anticoagulation after an acute ischaemic stroke.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Manohar Kini

ENRICH-AF: EdoxabaN foR IntraCranial Haemorrhage survivors with atrial fibrillation.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Pratap Rana

PREPARE: imPRoving End of life care Practice in stroke cAREon. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Ashleigh Reeves

MAPS-2: Metoclopramide for Avoiding Pneumonia after Stroke (MAPS-2) Trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Syed Ahmad

Surgical

ROSSINI 2: Reduction Of Surgical Site Infection using several Novel Interventions.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Muneer Junejo

PQIP Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme: A patient study improving perioperative care through the use of quality data. Gathering and analysis of patient data using the PQIP Database. 

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Alex Spyridoulias

Fast Track Study - Phase 5: Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of Colon Capsule Endoscopy in patients in intermediate (FIT based) risk of colorectal cancer or in patients undergoing post-polypectomy bowel surveillance

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Jonathan Cowley

MEErKAT: Mesenteric Excision and Kono-S Anastomosis Trial

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Simon Gonsalves

Challenging the ritualistic practice of incision and drainage: The experiences and opinions of patients and professionals in the practice of incision and drainage in purulent skin and soft tissue infections.

Chief Investigator (CI): Mr Liam Stout

EPOC: Improving decision-making in malignant bowel obstruction: An exploration of context-specific treatment pathways and experiences to inform intervention development for person-centred care.

Local Collaborator: Ms Helen Ilsley

E-BRIC: Early bowel resection for terminal ileal Crohn’s disease: exploring patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives and barriers to implementation.

Principal Investigator (PI): Miss Tamsyn Grey

RECOVER TOGETHER: Improving recovery after bowel cancer surgery: Mixed-method feasibility study of a co-produced information intervention.

Principal Investigator (PI): Miss Claire McDonald

RESPOND study (Rescue for Emergency Surgery Patients Observed to uNdergo acute Deterioration) Work Package 4: A cluster-randomised stepped-wedge Trial of a complex Human Factors intervention.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Arin Saha

Transplant Research

SIGNET - Statins in Organ Donor Management An evaluation of the benefits of a single dose of Simvastatin given to potential organ donors declared dead by neurological criteria on outcomes in organ recipients.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Paul Knight

Trauma & Orthopaedics

PROFHER2: A three-arm randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of reverse shoulder arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty versus non-surgical care for acute three and four part fractures of the proximal humerus in patients over 65yrs of age - Proximal Fracture Of the Humerus: Evaluation by Randomisation trial No. 2.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Neil Pennington

WHITE PLATFORM - LIT: World Hip Trauma Evaluation Appendix 10 – LIT: Lidocaine Intravenous Trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Andreea Jimenez

HUSH: The HUmeral SHaft fracture trial: A multi-centre prospective randomised superiority trial of surgical versus non-surgical interventions for humeral shaft fractures in patients aged 18 years or older.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Simon Fogerty

DIDACT: Surgery compared with sling immobilisation in the management of adults with a
displaced fracture of the distal clavicle: a multi-centre, pragmatic, parallel group,
non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mr Neil Pennington