Gloria is a CRUK Cambridge Centre NAHP Programme member and a research nurse with vast experience in cancer and research, dedicating her time to improving the lives of young adults with cancer. Her work in clinical research has helped advance treatments and provides support and care for those undergoing cancer treatment.
What is your current role and how did you begin your research career?
I am the Teenage and Young Adult Clinical Trials Research Nurse at Cambridge University Hospitals. My research career began in 2014 when I joined the Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy Vascular Research Unit at Addenbrooke's. I was on secondment for 18 months in this role, after which I transitioned to my current position.
Can you describe your role as a TYA Clinical Trials Research Nurse?
My role is dynamic and multifaceted. I coordinate cancer research recruitment efforts and oversee research delivery activities while liaising between patients, the multidisciplinary team, and trial sponsors. I work closely with patients to provide information about their treatment and signpost them to appropriate services to support them during research participation.
I take pride in being a source of information and support for my patients. My strong communication skills enable me to advocate effectively for their needs. Additionally, I deeply understand clinical research and the unique challenges TYA cancer patients face. Through my contributions to my work, I have championed the importance of including TYA patients in research recruitment.
Why is it important to highlight the impact of cancer on the TYA population?
The impact of cancer on the TYA population cannot be overstated. This population faces many challenges regarding cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as disrupting their education, social lives, and plans. Additionally, a cancer diagnosis at a young age can have long-term effects on fertility, career opportunities and mental health.
It is crucial to raise awareness and promote understanding of the impact of cancer on the TYA population so we can provide better support and tailored resources and services to meet their needs.
Furthermore, research studies focused on this population are critical. These studies can help identify new treatment options, improve quality of life, and address TYA's particular medical and psychological needs with cancer. By investing in research, we can work towards improving outcomes and making a meaningful impact in the lives of young cancer patients.
What challenges do you face in recruiting TYA patients for cancer research studies?
Recruiting TYA patients for cancer research studies can be challenging due to the psychological impact of the diagnosis on the patient and the family and communication issues.
To address these challenges, we can improve communication with patients and their families to provide clear and concise information about available trials and their potential benefits. Education and awareness campaigns will also help address research misconceptions, strengthen local knowledge about clinical trials, and encourage participation. By taking a patient-centred approach and addressing these challenges, we can work towards improving recruitment rates and ultimately advancing cancer research for the benefit of TYA patients.
What are some benefits of including TYA patients in cancer research studies?
TYA patients have specific biological and psychosocial needs that differ from adult and paediatric patients. Through TYA cancer research, we can better understand these needs and develop treatments and services better suited to this population. Also, by including TYA patients in research studies, we can identify significant trends and patterns that may inform future research and treatment approaches for this population.
Can you describe a particularly impactful research study that you have worked on involving TYA patients with cancer?
One study that comes to mind is the EE2012 (EuroEwings 2012) study, a multinational clinical trial aimed at improving outcomes for TYA patients with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. This study was particularly impactful because it resulted in a change in the standard of care regimen for patients in the United Kingdom. The trial results established a clear winner between the two treatment arms compared; the VIDE strategy (VIDE induction and VAI/VAC/BuMel consolidation) with the VDC/IE strategy (compressed VDC/IE induction and IE/VC/BuMel consolidation) in favour of VDC/IE. The latter regimen demonstrated a better event-free survival (EFS), an overall survival, also the relative toxicity experienced by patients both before and after local control of the primary tumour.
This study significantly impacted treating TYA patients with Ewing’s sarcoma in the UK and beyond. The VDC/IE strategy is now the standard of care treatment for newly diagnosed Ewings Sarcoma. By identifying a practical treatment approach for this population, we improved outcomes for TYA patients and their families. This study also highlights the importance of including TYA in research studies as their needs and responses to treatment may differ from other age groups.
Note: [VIDE= Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide.] [VDC= Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide]. [IE= Ifosfamide, Etoposide][VAI= Vincristine, Actinomycin D, Ifosfamide] [VAC= Vincristine, Actinomycin D, Cyclophosphamide] [VC= Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide] [Bu= Busulphan] [Mel= Melphalan].
What advice would you give to researchers who want to include TYA patients in their studies?
Suppose you have a potential patient within the TYA age group; I suggest that researchers consult with TYA specialist nurses and TYA research nurses and involve TYA patients in their research studies to ensure that the research meets their needs.
By building partnerships, one can gain a better understanding of the needs of TYA patients and ensure that their research studies are designed to meet those needs.
What do you hope to achieve during TYA Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of the importance of including TYA patients in cancer research studies?
For this year's TYA Cancer Awareness Month, I hope to increase awareness of the importance of including patients in cancer research studies by encouraging every clinician to be aware of their patients’ age and ensure they are referred to the TYA team for holistic care during and after treatment.
It is important to emphasise that including TYA patients in research studies can lead to important discoveries that improve care and outcomes for this population. By working with TYA patients and their families, researchers can better understand the needs and concerns of this population and design patient-centred studies that address those needs.
