Clinical Trials Research Unit
The Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) in our hospital coordinates a wide range of clinical trials in cancer. The CTRU was established in 2000 and has opened over 150 clinical trials involving over 1,500 patients.
What is a clinical trial?
Research discoveries in the laboratory may lead to new drug developments. Clinical trials are then conducted to establish and confirm that these new drug treatments are safe and effective when administered to patients in a controlled hospital environment. You may be asked to join clinical trials/research studies if you have a cancer diagnosis requiring drug treatment.
“Adding new treatments to existing standards of care … may often improve an individual persons cancer outcome and overall survival.”
Professor John McCaffrey, Consultant Oncologist & Medical Director of the CTRU.
“I was monitored a lot by the Clinical Trials team… there is that extra level of care and attention due to being on a trial.”
Diane Hanly, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Clinical Trial Patient & Chairperson of the Clinical Trials Ireland.
An experienced team you can trust
The Mater Hospital CTRU is well established and has an experienced and committed team working to improve the outcomes for patients with cancer. The CTRU team includes consultant medical and radiation oncologists and haematologists, research nurses, pharmacists and administration staff.
The Clinical Trials Research Unit team includes:
- 1 clinical trials manager
- 5 specialist research nurses
- 1 clinical trials pharmacist
- 4 data managers
- A business manager and an administrator
- 8 consultant principal investigators
Our principal investigators
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ASTER ANT 007 |
Compare Abelacimab to Apixaban on venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence and bleeding |
People with active cancer associated VTE (thromboembolism) who have received or have prevously received anti-cancer therapy. |
Available at this link » | Medicinal Trial |
Open |
|
Celgene ACE 536 MF 002 (INDEPENDENCE) |
Evaluate the efficacy and safety of Luspatercept compared with placebo in subjects with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN)-associated Myelofibrosis (MF) and anemia |
People with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm-Associated Myelofibrosis on Concomitant JAK2 Inhibitor Therapy and Who Require Red Blood Cell Transfusions |
Medicinal Trial | Open | |
| INCYTE INCMOR 208 305 | |||||
| Isa-RVD |
This study aims to evaluate the stringent Complete Response (sCR) rate by the end of two cycles of induction treatment, defined as the proportion of patients who have achieved sCR, according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria, by the end of two cycles of induction treatment. |
People with Multiple Myeloma who have received no prior treatment with any systemic therapy. |
Medicinal Trial |
Open | |
|
LOXO 20022 / / BRUIN CLL-322 |
A trial of Pirtobrutinib (LOXO-305) plus Venetoclax and Rituximab (PVR) compared to Venetoclax and Rituximab (VR) only |
People with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) (BRUIN CLL-322) who have recieved at least one previous treatment |
Medicinal Trial |
Open | |
Breast cancer clinical trials
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ovarian Escape |
To determine how common is 'ovarian escape' in women recieving ovarian function supression |
Premenopausal women receiving ovarian function suppression and endocrine therapy for early-stage and metastatic hormone receptor- positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer |
n/a |
Translational study |
Open |
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mountaineer 03 (SGNTUC 029) |
Comparison of Tucatinib + Trastuzumab + mFOLFOX6 against mFOLFOX6 alone or with Cetuximab or Bevacizumab. |
HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer who have not received any preious systemic anti-cancer therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. |
Medicinal Trial |
Open |
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NeoCOAST-2 |
To study the effect of different combinations of drugs, like Durvalumab, Oleclumab, Monalizumab, AZD0171, and others are safe and effective around the time of surgery. |
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer where surgery is a treatment option. |
Medicinal Trial |
Open |
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ASTER ANT 007 |
Compare abelacimab against apixaban for venous thromboembolism recurrence and bleeding |
Cancer related venous thromboembolism receiving cancer treatment currently or in past six months |
Medicinal trial |
Open | |
|
Sleepio Study |
This study will examine the efficacy of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) compared to sleep hygiene education in treating symptoms of insomnia |
Women over the age of 18 with a current or prior cancer diagnosis who have clinical insomnia |
Survivorship Trial |
Open |
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PaTcH 20-27 |
This study is designed to investigate the means by which treatment-resistent pancreatic cancer can be overcome by a combination of an established anticancer drug, trametinib, with hydroxychloroquine. |
People with pathologically confirmed advanced metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma or poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Individuals must have previously received at least one line of systemic therapy for their metastatic disease and are not eligible for surgical resection |
Medicinal Trial |
Open |
| Name | Purpose | For people with | More Information | Study Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PEACE-6 |
Compare the effectiveness and safety of a combination treatment called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with or without darolutamide in frail men who have recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. |
Men with prostate cancer whose cancer has recently become metastatic |
Available at this link » |
Medicinal Trial |
Open |
Contact us
Clinical Trials & Research Studies
Cancer medicine (oncology)
- T: 01 809 7445
- T: 01 803 4831
- T: 01 803 4838
- F: 01 803 4836
- E: CTRU@mater.ie
For information on our open or upcoming clinical trials, please contact our Clinical Trials Research Unit.
Further useful information
For information on clinical trials in Ireland see:
- Start Dublin
- Irish Cancer Society information on clinical trials
- Cancer Trials Ireland information on clinical trials
- Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association information on clinical
- The UCD Clinical Research Centre