The BeGIN study: Investigating Outcomes from Breast Cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Outcomes from Breast Cancer: Correlating Genetic, Immunological and Nutritional Predictors (BeGIN study)
IRAS ID
137424
Contact name
Ramsey Cutress
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Outcome following diagnosis of breast cancer is variable with some groups of patients recovering better than others. Some of this variability is due to the type of cancer a patient has, however certain groups respond worse than others for other reasons. Previous research has identified a variety of patient characteristics (such as age, weight, nutrition) which can predict whether a patient has a higher risk of a poor outcome; the interest in identifying such predictors is so patients can be better informed regarding their risk. Furthermore the decision whether to treat a patient with additional measures such as chemotherapy/radiotherapy may be guided by such factors, ensuring only patients who will derive benefit from such treatments need receive them.
Previously research performed by our group has identified risk factors for poor outcome within young patients with breast cancer. However no clear reason for this worsened outcome was determinable following molecular-genetic analysis of the patient’s cancer. Therefore other factors must be at play.
The BeGIN study will aim to recruit patients over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are under treatment at University Hospital Southampton. Recruitment will be over 5 years however patients will be followed up over the course of their treatment to ascertain their response. In addition to samples of breast cancer tissue, measurements of the patient’s body composition, nutritional status and immune status will be made. This will require additional blood tests and body measurements for participants but will not affect the treatment or surgery they receive. Tissue and DNA collected from patients will also be donated to a national tissue bank run by the Breast Cancer Campaign Charity. In contributing to this tissue bank it is hoped that the maximum and broadest research benefit possible will be derived from patient’s participation.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1297
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion