The Research and Development team at NCIC have recruited their 100th patient to a national study, making them the second top recruiter in the country.
The study, led at NCIC by Consultant Haematologist Dr Roderick Oakes, recruits patients with a rare blood condition called monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS).
The study aims to find out more about the role of family history and demographic factors in the development of MGUS, which is can lead to patients developing more serious diseases such as Myeloma (a rare type of blood cancer) or Lymphoma.
Earlier diagnosis of myeloma might be possible with better understanding MGUS and how it should be monitored. The SECURE study will help with this. It will help confirm the rate at which people with MGUS progress to a diagnosis of myeloma and further our understanding of screening, diagnosis, and monitoring patterns of people with MGUS in the UK.
The 100th participant was recruited at West Cumberland Hospital by Research Nurse, Rachel Mutch.
Elizabeth Phillips, 100th participant recruited at NCIC, said:
“It is a pleasure and an honour to be the 100th person to take part in the research into MGUS. I have been investigated for this condition for the past 6 to 7 years and I feel that it is important to get a better understanding of the condition. Such as what causes it and whether there is a genetic link. By being part of the research, I am hopeful that it will help towards eventually answering more questions and maybe even finding a cure or preventative solutions in the future.”
Dr Roderick Oakes, Consultant Haematologist at NCIC, said: “Research like this is vital. MGUS is a condition we commonly see as haematologists. We know that some people with MGUS will develop more serious diseases, such as Myeloma or Lymphoma, but we are increasingly recognising that MGUS itself can have an impact on some patients. Research like the SECURE study should help us to understand those impacts better.”
The study will also look at the role of family history in the development of the condition, and the psychological impact of a diagnosis.
SECURE is a long-term prospective observational study sponsored by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Institutes for Health Research.