MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

Alt text: A card with a quote from Nav Kaur. It reads “I am proudest of the Unit’s success in securing the MRC Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) award. It was an intense and demanding process, but one that truly demonstrated the strength, resilience, and collaborative spirit of our Unit. I supported the logistics and operations alongside our Unit Manager, helping to coordinate and deliver what was a complex and time-pressured bid. Winning the award was not only a recognition of our scientific excellence but also created an exciting opportunity to innovate, expand our work in clinical trials, and generate new jobs across the field. To know that my efforts played a role in enabling such a transformative achievement for the Unit - and for science more broadly - is something I feel deeply proud of.”

It’s Wednesday, and we’re back with another #ProudestOf moment from the Unit!

This week, we celebrate Nav Kaur ‪(sikhmum.bsky.social)‬, Executive Assistant to Prof Max Parmar.‬

We asked Nav what she’s #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work.

That’s what she shared 👇

Walking the walk: a case study of partnering with patients in designing and delivering a patient and public involvement implementation plan - Research Involvement and Engagement Research Involvement and Engagement - Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) in the UK are required to integrate patient and public involvement (PPI) into their research and operational strategies to meet...

🆕 New publication alert!

A recent paper from our PPI group explores how we developed and delivered a PPI strategy and implementation plan.

We share a framework that other trial units can adapt to enhance the impact of their strategic PPI.

🔗 Read: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Rare Disease Day Logo

28 February is #RareDiseaseDay

We asked Prof. Max Parmar @mrcctu.bsky.social about the importance of research into rare diseases, and the impact it can have on patients and their families.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/y3zvx62m

#UKCTUNetwork

Poster with text. It reads "Heavy periods? Join our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Committee are setting up a PPI Committee to share their views and experiences of heavy periods. The PPI Committee will inform our research project which aims to: Find the best ways to measure the menstrual blood loss during periods To find out which treatments work best for people who are affected by heavy periods WHAT WILL I DO? Participate in 2 PPI Committee meetings per year for 3 years Comment on the research plans Help promote and share the results of the research Treat other PPI Committee members and opinions with respect You will be reimbursed for your time and any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. WHO AM I? I have been affected by heavy periods and I am based in the UK I am interested in healthcare research I respect different viewpoints I want to make a difference to the lives of women and people affected by heavy periods If you are interested, or for more information, please complete the expression of interest form: https://redcap.idhs.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/? s=3YY3ANEE93DA9XJM"

Help improve research on heavy periods! 🩸

Join our PPI Committee and share your lived experience.

🔗 Apply here: redcap.idhs.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/?s=3...

Two medicines are as good as current three-medicine combinations to treat children living with HIV | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL 25 Feb 2026

📈 New results from the D3 (Penta 21) trial at #CROI2026

D3 (Penta21) showed that using dolutegravir and lamivudine is safe and as effective as using a combination of three HIV medicines, including dolutegravir, to keep the virus under control.

🔗 More: buff.ly/JTjUzmQ

pentafoundation.bsky.social

A card with a quote from Annabelle South, it reads “The thing I’m proudest of from the Unit’s work is the commitment of some of my colleagues to ensure that the research they do makes things better for patients and communities in the real world. Highlights include improvements in treatment of children living with HIV, treatment of prostate cancer and HIV prevention for men who have sex with men in the UK. People are living longer, healthier lives because of our work. This translation of science into policy and practice doesn’t happen automatically – it requires lots of work, skill and persistence.”

Let’s brighten up your Wednesday with another #ProudestOf moment from our fantastic team at the Unit!

This week, our Principal Research Fellow for Research Impact & Communication, Annabelle South (annabellesouth.bsky.social), tells us what she is #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work 👇

Heading to #GU26?

Catch Sophie Merrick (drsophiemerrick.bsky.social) presenting on patient‑reported outcomes in resected renal cell carcinoma from the RAMPART trial.

📅 28 Feb, 8:35 AM
📍 Renal & Testicular Cancer Session
🔗Abstract: www.asco.org/abstracts-pr...

ascocancer.bsky.social

MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL to become the UCL Innovative Clinical Trials Unit from April 2026 | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

📢 Big news for our Unit

From April 2026, the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL will become the UCL Innovative Clinical Trials Unit.

Our name is changing, but our mission isn’t. We will continue to deliver smarter studies, global impact, better health.

🔗 More: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...

A card with a quote from Denise, it reads “The thing I am proudest of from the Unit’s work is its dedication to finding new ways to help people live longer, healthier lives, and to make treatments kinder and more effective. I’m also incredibly proud of the enthusiastic and engaged research teams that we work with; it’s their hard work as well as ours that makes the clinical trials we manage as impactful as they are.”

It’s time for another #ProudestOf Wednesday!

#ClinicalTrials are a true team effort, and every week we’re spotlighting the people who make them possible.

This week, we asked Denise Ward, one of our Clinical Trial Managers, what she’s #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work 👇

Text reads Ramadan Mubarak next to a graphic of a lit lantern (fanoos)

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating.

Catch Anna Turkova & Simon Drysdale on Feb 19 (13:20-13:50) at the RSVVW’26 conference to discuss the PIPELINE-RSV trial.

Learn how PIPELINE aims to use adaptive trials to improve #RSV preparedness for pregnant people and infants across Europe.

More 👉 https://resvinet.org/conferences/rsvvw26/

Stylised illustration of a horse with the text ‘Happy Year of the Horse’ on a yellow background.

Wishing everyone who is celebrating a Happy Year of the Horse 🏮

📢 NEWS: Kenya joins GARDP’s NeoSep1 Part 2 trial on #NeonatalSepsis.

The trial has started enrolling newborn babies with sepsis at Kilifi County Hospital (Kilifi) Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital (Mombasa) and Mbagathi Hospital (Nairobi).

A card from Anna, it reads: "I'm very proud to have played a part in supporting clinical trials at the unit across several exciting areas. I supported UKCTOCS, the largest ovarian cancer trial to date. I also helped set up a worldwide hub providing resources and training for those working in clinical trials worldwide. Now I'm working in a new Clinical Trials Centre of Research Excellence, looking into new ways to design and deliver clinical trials of new medicines. It's a real privilege to have worked with the most inspirational and dedicated people, and I've learnt so much!"

It’s Wednesday, and also the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! ✨🧪

Today’s #ProudestOf spotlight goes to one of the exceptional women in the Unit, Anna Widdup, our Programme Support Officer.

Here’s what Anna is #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇

A group of women from the Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology is seated at a table, participating in activities to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

A group of women from the Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology is seated at a table, participating in activities to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

We had a lovely breakfast for International Day of Women and Girls in Science to honour the brilliant women across our institute who help drive our science forward.

Here’s to the women who inspire us every day, and to the next generation following in their footsteps! 👩‍🔬

#WomenInScience

UCL celebrates 200 years today 🥳!

Two centuries of shaping the future through science, education, and innovation. Here’s to the next 200!

#UCL200 #LoveUCL

@ucl.ac.uk

Progress Pride flag with horizontal stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. On the left, a chevron in white, pink, light blue, brown, and black with a yellow triangle and purple circle.

February is LGBT+ History Month and UCL is celebrating the rich histories, achievements and everyday impact of LGBTQ+ communities.

Read the full roundup and find events, book recommendations and ways to get involved here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/jan/lgbt-history-month-2026-ucl

A card with a quote from Kate, it reads “The thing I’m proudest of in my own work at the Unit is leading the development of the MRC CTU at UCL Capacity Strengthening Hub. Since its launch in January 2023, there have been almost 17,000 visitors, 48,000 views, and over 3,000 downloads. 11 webinars have been held with over 4,000 attendees. The LMIC Mentoring Scheme (through the Hub) was launched on 30 January 2024, and to date, 68 people have been matched with mentors.”

Midweek already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!

This week, we’re hearing from Kate Sturgeon, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Capacity Strengthening Coordinator.

She reflects on what she’s #ProudestOf in her own work at the Unit👇

AI in Radiotherapy: A revolution in cancer care? YouTube video by LSHTM

7/7
Many patients in low and middle-income countries do not have access to radiotherapy. The ARCHERY trial is testing a new AI-based software to automate parts of the radiotherapy planning pathway. If successful, this will improve access and affordability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTox...

STAMPEDE2 | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

6/7
What is the best treatment for people with advanced prostate cancer? STAMPEDE2 is continuing the work of the STAMPEDE trial, which has already tested multiple treatments added to standard-of-care hormone therapy to improve how long people live.
www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/our-research...

Add-Aspirin | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

5/7
Can aspirin stop or delay cancer coming back? The Add-Aspirin trial is testing whether taking aspirin daily after treatment for early-stage breast, colorectal, gastroesophageal or prostate cancer can stop the cancer returning & improve how long people live. www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/our-research...

REFINE | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

4/7
Evidence suggests that immunotherapy drugs may work for longer than originally thought. The REFINE trial is testing whether longer gaps between immunotherapy doses improve quality of life, while still treating cancer effectively. www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/our-research...

Hormone patches are as effective as hormone injections for people with non-metastatic prostate cancer | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

3/7
Are hormone patches a safe and effective treatment for prostate cancer? The PATCH trial found that patches are as good as standard hormone therapy injections at prolonging survival in people with prostate cancer which is at risk of spreading. www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...

Weekly chemotherapy with bevacizumab improves ovarian cancer survival compared to having it once every three weeks | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

2/7
What is the best treatment for women with advanced ovarian cancer? The ICON8B trial found that weekly chemotherapy with bevacizumab improves ovarian cancer survival compared to having chemotherapy once every 3 weeks.
www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...

A combination of two immunotherapy drugs benefits people with kidney cancer | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

1/7
The RAMPART trial explores the effects of immunotherapy on patients who have had a kidney removed. The trial found that a combination of two immunotherapy drugs benefits people with kidney cancer, compared with active monitoring.
www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-st...

Today is #WorldCancerDay

Our cancer #ClinicalTrials aim to improve treatment options for patients.

More details about them in the thread🧵

#WorldCancerDay2026

Trial design and enrolment characteristics of LATA (Long-Acting Treatment in Adolescents): A randomised, open-label, non-inferiority, 96-week trial evaluating the virological efficacy, safety, accepta... Alternatives to daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) are important for adolescents with HIV (AHIV) to improve adherence and outcomes. Long-Acting-i…

Could long-acting injectables replace daily HIV tablets for young people in Africa?

Our LATA trial is testing whether antiretroviral therapy injections given every 8 weeks can work just as well as taking daily tablets to keep the virus under control.

🔗 More:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Are you a medical oncologist, clinical oncologist, urologist, or prostate cancer nurse specialist working in the UK? Take part in a qualitative interview study exploring what influences how people with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer are treated, and how new evidence feeds into this. Your views will help improve the usefulness of meta-analysis results for health professionals.

Want to help improve how prostate cancer meta-analysis results are communicated? Join a short interview.

👉️ Join a short interview: buff.ly/p6PKvjf

Alt text: A card with a quote from Larry. It reads “The thing I am proudest of my work at the unit is helping launch STAMPEDE2. When I joined the Unit over four years ago, I started as a data manager on STAMPEDE, a well-established trial with clear processes and plenty of guidance. Moving to STAMPEDE2 was a completely different challenge: it hadn’t launched yet, so much had to be built from scratch. Being part of the team that got it up and running, and seeing our website come to life, is something I’m especially proud of.”

After a little break, we are back with more #ProudestOf moments from colleagues across the Unit!

This week, we’re spotlighting Larry Evans, one of our dedicated data managers on #STAMPEDE2.

We asked Larry what was #ProudestOf his own work at the Unit 👇

What is GDPR? YouTube video by MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

🔒 What happens to your data after you join a #ClinicalTrial?

We co-produced an animation with young people to explain how GDPR protects your information and ensures it’s handled securely.

@hralatest.bsky.social @pentafoundation.bsky.social

🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlI6...