UK Computer-Aided Theragnostics (ukCAT)
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
304815
Contact name
Gareth Price
Contact email
Research summary
UK Computer-Aided Theragnostics (ukCAT)
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0347
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
This database stores information collected about patients before, during, and after their cancer treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. It includes information about the type of cancer patients are diagnosed with, the treatment they receive, and the outcomes of that treatment. By analysing the information collected by the medical team during the normal treatment of every patient seen at the hospital, we aim to understand how best to care for all cancer patients. Patients can opt-out of having their data used for this research, but we hope to include information from as many patients as possible to make sure our conclusions apply to all of the different patients treated at The Christie.
Before being added to the database, all information is de-identified (e.g. patient names and NHS number are removed). The data is also limited to only that relevant to cancer treatment and outcome. Unrelated information (such as treating doctor) is removed. This is done automatically by computer systems and does not involve anyone outside care teams looking at medical records. All data is stored securely to standards required by law and can only be accessed by authorised researchers whose projects have been ethically approved.
Research programme
This database supports the whole cancer patient population in Greater Manchester. It does this by allowing researchers to analyse data on every patient treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust to understand which treatments work best for which patients and why. This database is part of a programme of work at The Christie and the Manchester Cancer Research Centre that aims to use the information collected during normal care to develop personalised treatments for every patient. People who come from marginalised populations, for example those from ethnic minorities, and those who are elderly, frail, have multiple additional conditions, or are socioeconomically deprived, are not well represented in clinical trials. This means that conclusions made based on clinical trial results may not apply to all cancer patients. However, by analysing how everyone treated at The Christie responds to their treatment, we aim to ensure that research is inclusive and can be used to improve the care of everyone.
Research database title
UK Computer-Aided Theragnostics (ukCAT)
Establishment organisation
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Establishment organisation address
Wilmslow Road
Manchester
M20 4BX