CHIMERA: Immune and molecular profiling during radiotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterisation of immunological and molecular changes evolving in patients undergoing radiotherapy (CHIMERA).
IRAS ID
241600
Contact name
Alan Melcher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Institute of Cancer Research
Duration of Study in the UK
6 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Radiotherapy is thought to trigger an immune response, and the particular type of immune response may depend on the biology of individual tumours. By studying changes in the immune response and tumour biology during and after radiotherapy, we will gain a better understanding of how different types of radiotherapy, and different tumour types, affect the immune response. This is important for optimising personalised radiotherapy treatment, including in combination with other immunotherapy agents. There is minimal published data reporting feasibility of the above approach, or to guide power calculations. This means pilot work is needed to establish both feasibility and proof-of-principle.
The CHIMERA protocol is a non-interventional single site study involving sample collection (blood and tumour samples) from patients before, during and after radiotherapy. A maximum of four tumour research biopsies are further optional research samples.
The primary and secondary objectives of the CHIMERA protocol are to establish feasibility of longitudinal characterisation of firstly the immune response, and secondly tumour biology before, during and after radiotherapy.
Any patient receiving radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden NHS Trust is eligible for CHIMERA provided they are able to provide informed consent, attend follow up appointments and do not have an immunosuppressive infection.
If feasibility criteria are met for profiling of the immune response and tumour, CHIMERA will provide both preliminary data and proof-of-principle for larger studies in single tumour sites.
CHIMERA is sponsored by the Institute of Cancer Research, LONDON. Funding is also provided by the Institute of Cancer Research.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1250
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion