Clinical Research Fellow Neuroendocrine Tumours

Job title:

Clinical Research Fellow Neuroendocrine Tumours

Company

University College London

Job description

About us The neuroendocrine tumour (NET) unit at the Royal Free Hospital (RFH) has an international reputation for the management of neuroendocrine tumour patients and is a European Centre of Excellence. The RFH NET team conducts a number of clinical and basic science research trials relating to the treatment of and the pathogenesis of NET development. The clinical lead and head of the neuroendocrine unit is Professor Martyn Caplin. Research is based at the UCL – Royal Free Campus at the Institute for Liver & Digestive Health (ILDH) under supervision of Professor Krista Rombouts and Professor Martyn Caplin. The ILDH, is part of University College London Division of Medicine, and is made up of six centres that concentrates the entire clinical and scientific activity in Hepatology and digestive tract and is a major education site at UCL. This makes the UCL-ILDH one of the most international and multicultural clinical research hubs in the World. Research activities are characterized by a strong integration of clinical activities with laboratory expertise and biotechnological platforms which span from very basic cellular and molecular biology to translational projects in Hepatology, Gastroenterology, HPB, Liver Transplant and Regenerative Medicine.About the role The candidate will be the clinical research fellow for Trial of Lu-177 DOTATATE (Lutathera®) in Unlicensed Indications Including Bronchial and Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumour, Paraganglioma/ Phaeochromocytoma, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, and Those Requiring Repeat Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (Phase 2 trial) The aim is to prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy in participants treated with Lu-177 DOTATATE (Lutathera) in SSTR expressing NET in currently unlicensed indications (e.g. bronchial and thymic NET; paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma; MTC; and those requiring repeat PRRT with 2 further cycles of Lutathera).
Secondary objectives• To determine the ORR over 2 years • To determine the OS over 2 years Exploratory Objectives• To trial the incidence of other important identified and potential risks specified with Lutathera with audit aims: • Renal dysfunction over a follow-up of 1 year • Grade 3 myelosuppression/cytopenias • Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia • Tumour cell lysis-related hormone release-induced crises • Hepatotoxicity • QoL utilising EORTC QLQ-C30 and Quality of Life of participants with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours (QLQ-GI-NET21). Primary endpoint/outcome• Safety and tolerability: AEs (per National Cancer Institute [NCI] Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] v5.0), serious adverse events (SAEs), electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs, and clinical laboratory tests data • Progression Free Survival (PFS) as measured by objective tumour response (using RECIST Criteria, Version 1.1) and defined as the time from date of enrolment to the date of the first investigator assessed (local) documented tumour progression or death due to any cause. More specifically, the number of participants who are progression free after 12 months. Secondary endpoints/outcomes• ORR defined as the number of participants with confirmed complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) as best overall response divided by the number of participants in the analysis set. Participants not meeting the criteria for CR or PR, including those without any post-baseline tumour Overall Survival assessments, will be considered non-responders. • Overall Survival Exploratory endpoints/outcomes · Glomerular filtration rate and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Complete blood counts (CBC) (WBCs,RBCs,PLTs) · Markers of tumour cell lysis-related hormone release (potassium, phosphate, urate) · Liver enzyme panel (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), AST, ALT, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)) QoL: EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-GI-NET21 questionnairesFurthermore, Neuroendocrine Tumours, originating from the small bowel (SI-NETs), are one of the most common forms of neuroendocrine tumour (NET). An increasingly common finding is tissue scarring otherwise known as Mesenteric Fibrosis (MF) which is associated with SI-NETs. Recent studies demonstrates that this fibrosis is associated with a poor outcome. Part of the proposed study aims to understand the impact of PRRT with Lutathera on the communication between the microbiome and the tumour stromal cells and thus investigating what causes this fibrotic/scarring process and further evaluate potential therapies and interactions. This study also includes a comprehensive study of the genetic and microbial landscape of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Identification of clinically relevant alterations within the gut microbiome of NET patients which may impact the development and progression of cancer and the impact of treatment such as Lutathera.
This post is available until December 2025 in the first instance.
For more information regarding the project and the research group, please contact: m.caplin @ucl.ac.uk and/or k.rombouts@ucl.ac.uk.
Contact details for application: Prof Martyn Caplin m.caplin@ucl.ac.uk and Krista Rombouts k.rombouts@ucl.ac.uk.About you Applications should set out your previous clinical and academic or other experience relevant to the proposed research; why you wish to undertake this research at UCL; your previous research or professional training and what further training you think you will need to complete initially MPhil and then PhD; and what ethical issues you will need to consider in undertaking this research. In addition, two references should be named at the end of the statement. Person Specification The successful applicant should have at least Foundation Year 2 NHS Doctor and be motivated to be trained in biomedical science, molecular medicine, translational oncology, human molecular genetics, or life science. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong interest and self-motivation in the subject, good experimental practice and the ability to think analytically and
creatively. Good computer skills, plus good presentation and writing skills in English, are required. Previous research experience in contributing to a collaborative interdisciplinary research environment is highly desirable but not necessary as training will be provided.What we offer This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team working across the Division of Medicine. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.Available documents

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 23:22:52 GMT

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