Trial Talk

Clinical trial results usually tell us how effective a treatment was on average for the overall group of participants, but a key question for clinicians, patients and policy makers is: which individual patients benefit most from the treatment and which don’t benefit as much? In the latest episode of the Trial Talk podcast, Peter Godolphin and David Fisher discuss a new method for determining how treatment effects differ between subgroups of patients across multiple clinical trials, as well as how other meta-analysis researchers can use it. Resources: • Estimating interactions and subgroup-specific treatment effects in meta-analysis without aggregation bias: A within-trial framework onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jrsm.1590 • Cochrane webinar recording training.cochrane.org/resource/estim…-meta-analysis • GitHub page for metafloat package in Stata github.com/UCL/metafloat • WHO REACT Group: IL6 Prospective meta-analysis jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781880 • STOPCAP collaborators: Docetaxel IPD meta-analysis www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/…00230-9/fulltext For questions about the within-trial framework for subgroup analysis, you can email d.fisher@ucl.ac.uk or p.godolphin@ucl.ac.uk. For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/43boETF For questions or feedback on the podcast series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6g Date of episode recording: 2024-03-12T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:28:44 Language of episode: English Presenter: Charlotte Hartley Guests: Peter Godolphin, David Fisher Producer: Charlotte Hartley 

UKCTOCS (UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening) is one of the largest screening trials in ovarian cancer. More than 200,000 women from England, Wales and Northern Ireland took part in it, and it ran for almost two decades. Designing and running such a large and lengthy trial came with its own challenges. In this episode, Professor Usha Menon discusses the key challenges that UKCTOCS faced in its design, conduct an analysis, and how the team addressed them. Further information is available on the UKCTOCS website at ukctocs.mrcctu.ucl.ac.ukListen to the episode about the UKCTOCS trial results at bit.ly/48pK94J For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/45XRyWT As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6gDate of episode recording: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:26:57 Language of episode: English Presenter: Berta Terre-Torras Guests: Usha Menon Producer: Berta Terre-Torras 

In the first episode of our new Trial Talk series, Hanif Esmail and Conor Tweed take over the microphones to interview Andrew Nunn and Sarah Meredith, who have both recently retired from the Unit, having spent a combined total of 92 years working in the field of tuberculosis (TB). As we celebrate Andrew and Sarah’s long and accomplished careers, we’ll dive into the history of TB clinical trials and muse on the future of TB research. For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-stories/2024/january/new-podcast-episode-careers-in-tb-clinical-trials Check out our earlier podcast episodes about TB trials, also featuring Andrew Nunn:• Trial-talk-podcast – The-stream2-trial-how-should-we-treat-multi-drug-resistant-tuberculosis• Trial-talk-podcast – Andrew-nunn-talks-medical-statistics-tb-and-algerian-nomads-part-1• Trial-talk-podcast – Andrew-nunn-talks-medical-statistics-tb-and-algerian-nomads-part-2For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.ukAs a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6g Date of episode recording: 2024-01-26T00:00:00Z Duration: 28:56 Language of episode: English  Presenters: Charlotte Hartley, Hanif Esmail, Conor Tweed Guests: Andrew Nunn, Sarah Meredith Producer: Charlotte Hartley The Trial Talk podcast explores how our work at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL is improving health in the UK and worldwide. In this new series, we will hear from world-leading experts about the studies we carry out. We delve into trials on cancer, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, explore how public and patient involvement shapes our work, and discover new ways to run smarter studies.

Every year on 1st December, we mark World AIDS Day to show solidarity in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and to remember those who have sadly lost their lives. Since the start of the global AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, researchers have made enormous progress towards preventing HIV transmission, and treating those who are living with HIV so that the virus remains suppressed. But while there have been marked improvements for adults, treatment coverage in children and adolescents is lagging behind. In the second of our World AIDS Day episodes, we highlight the important role that young people living with HIV play in research, by shaping clinical trials to better serve the needs of their community. This episode features Lungile Jafta, who works closely with young people through Penta’s youth engagement programmes, and Gugu, a former Youth Trials Board member from South Africa who is living with HIV. For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-stories/2023/december/trial-talk-podcast-releases-new-episodes-for-world-aids-day/ For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6gDate of episode recording: 2023-12-01Duration: 00:19:01Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: Lungile Jafta, Gugu (former Youth Trials Board member)Producer: Charlotte Hartley

Every year on 1st December, we mark World AIDS Day to show solidarity in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and to remember those who have sadly lost their lives. Since the start of the global AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, researchers have made enormous progress towards preventing HIV transmission, and treating those who are living with HIV so that the virus remains suppressed. But while there have been marked improvements for adults, treatment coverage in children and adolescents is lagging behind. In the first of our World AIDS Day episodes, Dr Anna Turkova, Clinical Principal Research Fellow at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, and Philippa Musoke, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University, explore the reasons for these disparities and how the MRC CTU at UCL is working to close the gap between adults and children through clinical trials. For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-stories/2023/december/trial-talk-podcast-releases-new-episodes-for-world-aids-day/ For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6g Date of episode recording: 2023-12-01Duration: 00:24:04Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: Anna Turkova, Philippa MusokeProducer: Charlotte Hartley

Octopus is a new clinical trial for people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), which is designed and run by the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, Octopus has the potential to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. The trial is now open in the UK and will be recruiting participants for the next few years. The podcast mini-series will explore the trial from different perspectives by talking to neurologists, MS experts and people affected by MS. In the final part, we explore the role of people affected by MS in the Octopus trial. Susan Scott, a pharmaceutical publications specialist and Octopus patient representative, shares her involvement in the trial and explains how PPI has benefited Octopus so far. For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/3S6FKP4 For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk.As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in the future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6g.Date of episode recording: 2023-05-19Duration: 00:20:02Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Susan ScottProducer: Berta Terre-Torra 

Octopus is a new clinical trial for people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), which is designed and run by the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, Octopus has the potential to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. The trial is now open in the UK and will be recruiting participants for the next few years. The podcast mini-series will explore the trial from different perspectives by talking to neurologists, MS experts and people affected by MS. In Part 3, MS experts Dawn Lyle and Matthew Justin walk us through the journey that trial participants take when taking part in Octopus, from how to register your interest in the trial, to what to expect on your first visit.For more information and to access the transcript: https://bit.ly/3S6FKP4  Date of episode recording: 2023-06-06Duration: 00:24:04Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Dawn Lyle, Matthew JustinProducer: Berta Terre-Torras

Octopus is a new clinical trial for people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), which is designed and run by the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL.Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, Octopus has the potential to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. The trial is now open in the UK and will be recruiting participants for the next few years. The podcast mini-series will explore the trial from different perspectives by talking to neurologists, MS experts and people affected by MS. Part 1 covers the treatment and research landscape of MS and the challenges of treating progressive MS. It features Jeremy Chataway, neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at UCLH, and Professor of Neurology at UCL, and co-lead of the Neurodegenerative Diseases programme at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, who is leading the Octopus trial. We also hear from Dawn Lyle, Lead Research MS Nurse, and Matthew Justin, MS Specialist, who are based at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurologic Clinic in Edinburgh.For more information and to access the transcript: https://bit.ly/3S6FKP4   Date of episode recording: 2023-07-06Duration: 00:24:10Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Jeremy ChatawayProducer: Berta Terre-Torras

Octopus is a new clinical trial for people living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, Octopus has the potential to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. The trial is now open in the UK and will be recruiting participants for the next few years. The podcast mini-series will explore the trial from different perspectives by talking to neurologists, MS experts and people affected by MS. Part 1 covers the treatment and research landscape of MS and the challenges of treating progressive MS. It features Jeremy Chataway, neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at UCLH and Professor of Neurology at UCL, who is leading the Octopus trial. We also hear from Dawn Lyle, Lead Research MS Nurse, and Matthew Justin, MS Specialist, who are based at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurologic Clinic in Edinburgh. For more information and to access the transcript: https://bit.ly/3S6FKP4 Date of episode recording: 2023-06-07Duration: 00:17:20Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Jeremy Chattaway; Dawn Lyle; Matthew JustinProducer: Berta Terre-Torras 

Innovative platform designs present an opportunity to run faster and more efficient clinical trials. Clinical trials methodology is a research area that looks at how to improve the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. It focuses on developing and implementing new methods to help run trials faster and more efficiently, that will ultimately accelerate the discovery of new treatments. In this episode, methodologist Matteo Quartagno tells us about a new clinical trial design called MAMS-ROCI. It is a type of multi-arm multi-stage design that compares a range of different treatment durations, doses or frequencies to identify the optimal one. For more information and to access the transcript: https://bit.ly/3ZpyKhG Date of episode recording: 2023-05-16Duration: 00:24:28Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Matteo QuartagnoProducer: Berta Terre-Torras 

STAMPEDE is a long-running trial in advanced prostate cancer, in which nearly 12,000 men have taken part. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, STAMPEDE has tested many different treatments and directly led to improvements in the standard of prostate cancer care several times. This Trial Talk podcast mini-series will explore the trial’s journey from its inception in the early 2000s to the end of patient recruitment in March 2023. In the final part, Max Parmar and Nick James look back over the trial’s impact on clinical practice and platform trial design, and look forward to STAMPEDE2 and their hopes for the future of prostate cancer research. Further information is available on the STAMPEDE study page at www.mrcctu.ac.uk For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/3OQWhV8 As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6gDate of episode recording: 2023-08-24Duration: 00:23:23Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: Max Parmar, Nick JamesProducer: Charlotte Hartley

STAMPEDE is a long-running trial in advanced prostate cancer, in which nearly 12,000 men have taken part. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, STAMPEDE has tested many different treatments and directly led to improvements in the standard of prostate cancer care several times. This Trial Talk podcast mini-series will explore the trial’s journey from its inception in the early 2000s to the end of patient recruitment in March 2023. Part 2 is about patient and public involvement (PPI) in the trial. David Matheson, a Reader at the University of Wolverhampton and STAMPEDE patient representative, shares his insight into the work this entails and why it is so important to champion the voices of patients. We also hear about PPI from the perspective of trial researchers, Max Parmar and Nick James. - Further information is available on the STAMPEDE study page at www.mrcctu.ac.uk For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/3OQWhV8 As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6gDate of episode recording: 2023-08-17Duration: 00:18:00Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: David Matheson, Max Parmar, Nick JamesProducer: Charlotte Hartley

STAMPEDE is a long-running trial in advanced prostate cancer, in which nearly 12,000 men have taken part. Thanks to its multi-arm multi-stage platform design, STAMPEDE has tested many different treatments and directly led to improvements in the standard of prostate cancer care several times. This Trial Talk podcast mini-series will explore the trial’s journey from its inception in the early 2000s to the end of patient recruitment in March 2023. Part 1 covers the landscape of prostate cancer treatment before STAMPEDE, as well how the trial was designed, featuring two researchers who lead the methodological and clinical sides of the trial: Max Parmar, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology and Director of the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL and UCL's Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, and Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at the Institute of Cancer Research. Further information is available on the STAMPEDE study page at www.mrcctu.ac.uk For questions or feedback on the series, message us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk For more information and to access the transcript: bit.ly/3OQWhV8 As a listener, your opinion is very valuable to us. Please help us to improve the podcast in future by filling in this short survey: forms.office.com/e/PjfjQ5Mn6gDate of episode recording: 2023-08-10Duration: 00:18:03Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: Max Parmar, Nick JamesProducer: Charlotte Hartley

Immunotherapy drugs fight cancer by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. These drugs have revolutionised cancer treatment over the last decade, improving survival for many people with different types of cancer. However, researchers are still unsure of the best way to give immunotherapy, which can come with unpredictable side effects. In this episode, Clinical Fellow Sophie Merrick discusses how the REFINE trial hopes to address this problem, by testing if giving immunotherapy less frequently can still treat the cancer effectively, whilst improving the quality of life for patients, reducing side effects and costs. For more information and to access the transcript: www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-stories/2023/july/new-podcast-episode-the-refine-trial-how-can-we-improve-the-way-we-give-cancer-immunotherapy/Date of episode recording: 2023-04-19Duration: 00:16:57Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Berta Terre-TorrasGuests: Sophie MerrickProducer: Berta Terre-Torras

Running a clinical trial means collecting a lot of data from the trial participants. But some of this data might be collected and stored in healthcare systems, as well as in clinical trial case report forms. What if we could avoid this doubling up, save time and resources, improve recruitment and reduce missing data? In this episode we explore the opportunities and challenges of using healthcare systems data in clinical trials, with Dr Macey Murray and Professor Matt Sydes.  Resources: British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre webinar (Macey Murray) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzQeMUUG7tQ How to get your own crocheted duck - https://twitter.com/drmakerbaker/status/1628122224971419665?s=20 For more questions or feedback on the series, contact us at mrcctu.engage@ucl.ac.uk  For more information and access to the transcript of this episode: bit.ly/3NKtKjsDate of episode recording: 2023-06-26Duration: 00:25:39Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Charlotte HartleyGuests: Macey Murray, Matt SydesProducer: Charlotte Hartley