Research at CTRU
Our research covers many different health conditions including cancer, skin, dementia, stroke, IBS, mental health, and heart disease. Our projects are organised into 4 main areas:
All of our research areas include a wide range of different projects, from small studies trying to find out if a bigger trial is practical (called a pilot or feasibility trials), to larger international trials which include patients from different countries. Clinical trials are our main focus; however we also do other types of research. For example, qualitative studies (e.g. talking to people about their health experiences), participatory (patient led) research and developing new interventions.
If you are interested to know about the research conducted in a certain topic area area use our Research Index to find information on the research we run.
Cancer Research
We carry out ‘early’ and ‘late’ phase cancer trials.
Our work in `early phase` cancer looks at how effective different cancer treatments are, as well as their side effects. These treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other drugs. Our work in `late phase` cancer involves large randomised controlled trials, which compare two or more treatments. Our trials use innovative approaches to answer important research questions and to provide important evidence for the NHS.
Complex Interventions Research
In health research we use the term ‘intervention’ to describe anything which is put in place to try and improve things of patients and / or staff. For example, drugs, vaccines or NHS services. A ‘complex intervention’ is made of different components which interact with each other. For example, counselling or a patient education programme could both be complex interventions. Our work in complex intervention research spans several different topic areas including care homes and older people, diet obesity and lifestyle, mental health, global health and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. IBS).
Surgical Interventions Diagnostic and Devices (SIDD) Research
Our work in SIDD focuses on trials in surgery, diagnostics (e.g. new tests) and medical devices (e.g. wearable glucose monitors). Our work spans a number of clinical topics including skin, cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels), and musculoskeletal (e.g. arthritis).
Methodological Research
Methodological research means projects which look at how to do research better. We do methodological research across all of our divisions. For example, projects looking at how to analyse trials, how we run trials and how best to engage with patients and the public.
Research Index
If you are interested to know about the research conducted in a certain topic area area you can visit our Research Index to find information on the research we run.