Immuno-BCCI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immune Dynamics in Brain Cancer and Cancer Immunotherapy - A Longitudinal Observational Study to Characterise Immune Responses, Biomarker Discovery, and Disease Progression in Primary and Secondary Brain Tumours and Treatment-Related Toxicities
IRAS ID
353202
Contact name
Bo Sun
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
VD2023-5520569688, Vera Down Grant; GN-000751, The Brain Tumour Charity Future Leaders Fellowship; 0016139, John Fell Fund; Seedcorn2024\100282, Rosetrees Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Brain cancer is a serious and life-changing condition with low survival rates and a major impact on patients and their families. Sometimes, cancers from other parts of the body can spread to the brain, forming secondary brain tumours (brain metastases). While cancer treatments have improved, particularly those that boost the immune system, they can also cause serious side effects affecting the brain and nervous system. These effects, known as neurotoxicity, can lead to memory loss, difficulty thinking, and in severe cases, life-threatening complications.
This study aims to understand how the immune system behaves in brain cancer and how immune-based treatments may harm the brain. The immune system is our body’s natural defence, but in cancer, it can behave unpredictably—sometimes helping to fight cancer, while at other times causing harmful inflammation and damage to healthy brain cells.
We will recruit patients with brain cancer, brain metastases, or treatment-related neurotoxicity to study their immune responses. By analysing blood and tissue samples, we hope to identify markers that could help detect cancer earlier, predict treatment responses, and understand why some patients experience severe side effects. This research could lead to improved treatment strategies, making cancer therapies safer and more effective.
Participants will be asked to provide blood samples and, where possible, tumor tissue samples from routine clinical procedures. This study will take place at Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust and is funded by support from National Institute for Health Research, Academy of Medical Sciences, University of Oxford, The Brain Tumour Charity, The British Medical Association Foundation Trust, Cancer Research UK, Rosetrees Trust and Oxford Health Services Research Committee.By improving our understanding of the immune system in brain cancer, we aim to develop better ways to prevent and manage treatment-related complications, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
25/WA/0355
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion