News

NIHR Leeds CRF Lead Nurse Co-Authors Ground-Breaking Stroke Study

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Linetty Makawa

We are delighted to share that Linetty Makawa, Lead Nurse at the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility (CRF), has co-authored a pioneering stroke research paper recently published in the Biomolecules journal.

The study, titled “Rapid Detection of Specific Biomarkers for Differentiation of Stroke Patients from Mimics,” introduces an innovative approach to enhancing the speed and accuracy of stroke diagnosis. Strengthening the partnership between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) and the Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine at the University of Leeds (UoL), this research highlights the impact of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing translational stroke care.

Stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical, as treatments are most effective within the first few hours after symptom onset. Yet, distinguishing a true stroke from a “stroke mimic” — a condition with similar symptoms but a different cause — can be difficult, even with advanced imaging and clinical assessments.

In this study, blood samples were analysed from patients with confirmed stroke and from individuals whose symptoms resembled a stroke but were later attributed to other conditions. Researchers identified key blood proteins (biomarkers) associated with brain injury that were present at significantly different levels in stroke patients compared to the mimic group.

The real breakthrough came when researchers combined three of these biomarkers with an existing clinical stroke assessment score. This combination significantly improved the ability to differentiate a genuine stroke from a mimic — paving the way for a rapid, point-of-care blood test that could transform how strokes are diagnosed.

Linetty Makawa, Lead Nurse for the NIHR Leeds CRF, said: “This study brings us closer to using real-time blood tests to support rapid and accurate stroke diagnosis. By integrating key biomarkers with established clinical tools, we can improve the speed and accuracy of assessments and ensure patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. Timely diagnosis is crucial—interventions delivered within the first six hours offer the greatest benefit to patients.”

A heartfelt thank you to the lead investigators, Professor Sikha Saha and Professor Kirti Kain (Academic Supervisors, UoL), and to Dr Ahamad Hassan (Clinical Supervisor, LTHT), along with the dedicated team of co-authors: Dr Pragati Kakkar, Dr Meaad Almusined, Dr Tarun Kakkar, and Dr Theresa Munyombwe.

This outstanding achievement not only exemplifies the cutting-edge research taking place here in Leeds but also highlights the leadership, expertise, and innovation within our Clinical Research Delivery. We are incredibly proud of Linetty and the entire team for their contribution to improving stroke diagnosis and care — research that has the potential to make a lasting global impact.

First patient in Europe joins new breast cancer trial in Leeds

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Stock image

The first participant in Europe to take part in a new breast cancer trial has been recruited in Leeds.

The study supported by the NIHR Research Delivery Network, is testing a new drug called BNT327 (also known as PM8002) to see if it’s safe and works well for people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

TNBC does not have the three common “receptors” found in most breast cancers, the oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Because of this, it has been more difficult to treat because it doesn’t respond to hormone therapies or drugs that target HER2, making it harder to treat. As a result, TNBC is more likely to come back and spread than other breast cancers and patient outcomes are less good.

BNT327 is a special kind of medicine called a “bi-specific antibody”. That means it’s designed to target two specific proteins in and around cancers including TNBC: PD-L1 and VEGF-A.

PD-L1 helps cancer hide from the immune system, and VEGF-A helps tumours grow by creating new blood vessels; BNT327 works by blocking both proteins. BNT327, given with chemotherapy, aims to helps the immune system find and attack the cancer, slows tumours growth by cutting off its blood supply, treating TNBC.

Professor Chris Twelves, University of Leeds, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Director NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility CRF) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is conducting the study with the CRF team at St James’s University Hospital

Professor Chris Twelves, Director of the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility and Trial Lead said :  “There is a particular need for new treatments for people with TNBC so we are especially pleased to be able to offer them this innovative, novel another treatment through this trial” .

The study participant said: “I’m incredibly grateful to the wonderful team running the Leeds trial. Having an additional treatment option has given me renewed hope, and the close monitoring and support of the team have been very reassuring.

Joint Leeds event marks International Clinical Trials Day 2025

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An image of attendees congregating around stalls at the event.

Our teams recently attended the International Clinical Trials Day event jointly organised with and hosted by the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre.

An image of a staff member with the clinical research facility.

The event recognised the life-changing impact of healthcare research, and the people who make it possible.

We met with researchers, patients and members of the public at the centre for a day of talks, activities and workshops. Visitors heard from researchers about their work, our patient public involvement and engagement team about the work of clinical trials.

An image of a staff member with a stall and brochures

The event showcased an array of cutting-edge research projects, such as managing chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions, advancing inclusivity for disabled individuals in research, exploring new approaches to treating polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and technology in diabetes care.

Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in creative zine-making sessions led by the PMR research team, as well as explore the unit’s imaging facilities during guided tours of the centre’s MRI and ultrasound suites.

A presenter giving a talk to an audience.

This celebration formed part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)’s broader Be Part of Research campaign, which aims to inspire greater public involvement in health and care research. Every breakthrough in treatment begins with participation, whether through clinical trials, research surveys, or other studies. These individual contributions collectively help drive progress in healthcare.

An image of attendees at the event in the garden with yellow flowers in the foreground.

We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who joined the event and contributed to its success, highlighting the invaluable support of the public in shaping the future of medical research.

New immunotherapy trial focusing on older colon cancer patients

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Jenny Seligmann

Individuals with a specific type of tumour will receive an immunotherapy drug called dostarlimab before surgery, rather than the standard procedure where surgery is carried out first, then sometimes followed up by chemotherapy.

This is the first trial to specifically test the outcomes of this approach in older patients with the disease.

FOxTROT 5, led by the University and supported by the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility, heralds a step towards more personalised, precision oncology in colon cancer patients.

People with the disease, who are at least 70 years old, or have significant additional medical conditions, may be able to take part in the trial, which will be running at 20 hospitals across the UK.

It is hoped that the results will inform standard practice, providing evidence of whether this approach could be safe and effective for these types of patients.

The University of Leeds is the trial sponsor, with its Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) leading the study alongside clinicians. The University’s NHS partner site is St James’s University Hospital – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The trial will use dostarlimab to target “deficient mismatch repair” (dMMR) colon cancer – a molecularly distinct colon cancer that has been shown in other trials to respond extremely well to immunotherapy. 

Cancer immunotherapies are treatments that use the immune system to find and attack cancer cells. There are several different types and they each use the immune system in a different way and can be administered in various ways.

Addressing health inequality

Professor Jenny Seligmann, Chief Investigator of the FOxTROT programme and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This approach has already proved to be good for many younger patients but there’s a lack of evidence for what works for older patients. That’s a significant health inequality, which we hope to address.

“The purpose of FOxTROT 5 is to find an improved treatment for colon cancer patients that have cancer cells with an abnormality called dMMR. Standard chemotherapy treatments can be less successful for these patients.

“We hope this trial will lead to a new treatment for them, as well providing further understanding of the disease for the future.”

The £2.6million project, funded by biopharma company GSK, is being run in collaboration with the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham. The project is part of the FOxTROT Trial Platform funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Every year, over 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with colon cancer and over 16,000 lose their lives because of it.

Patients are usually treated with surgery first and may go on to have chemotherapy afterwards to help prevent the cancer coming back.

However, often old, frail patients aren’t well enough to undergo surgery or necessary anti-cancer treatment afterwards. Delivering an immunotherapy treatment first could prevent that, if this approach is successful.

Most people who develop colon cancer are classed as older or frail, but that group of people isn’t usually eligible for clinical trials, meaning there is little evidence for what works best for them.

FOxTROT 5 is aimed at helping to address that health inequality.

Previous success

The FOxTROT trial platform now has options for most stage 2 and 3 colon cancer patients and has seen great success.

FOxTROT 1, a collaborative study by scientists at Leeds and the University of Birmingham, showed that giving proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) colon cancer patients chemotherapy before, rather than after, surgery reduced the chance of the disease returning within two years by more than a quarter.

The new approach to treating colon cancer has since become a treatment option under NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines.
FOxTROT 2 tests whether the approach works in older, frailer pMMR patients.

FOxTROT 3 is investigating whether more intensive chemotherapy can further improve benefits in pMMR patients who can tolerate it. Both are funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.
FOxTROT 4 tests targeted oncology treatment in pMMR colon cancer patients with an abnormality in their tumour called a BRAF mutation. These patients currently have particularly poor outcomes.

The launch of FOxTROT 5 means the trial platform now, in theory, offers a trial for all the older and frail stage 2 and 3 colon cancer patients, although some further checks are required for each patient to ensure the trial is suitable for them.

Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “The launch of FOxTROT 5 marks a significant development in the FOxTROT Trial Platform and aligns with the charity’s ambition to bring potential benefits from the research to as many people with bowel cancer as possible, in Yorkshire and across the globe. We are grateful to the charity’s supporters for helping to create an important and unique opportunity for Yorkshire to drive forward this exciting research.”

FOxTROT 5 will be launched at 20 hospitals across the UK in the coming months, with the following already offering the trial to patients:

Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

St James’s University Hospital, Leeds

Churchill Hospital, Oxford

Queen’s Hospital Burton

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

University Hospital, Coventry

Ipswich Hospital.

To find out more about how you or a family member could take part in FOxTROT 5, please speak to your hospital doctor.

Man becomes first in the world to join new part of brain cancer trial in Leeds

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Ian Johnson and his wife with members of the CRF team

Ian Johnson has become the first person in the world to join a new part of a brain cancer trial testing a drug designed to boost the effects of radiotherapy.

Ian, aged 50, is taking part in a study testing a new drug called AZD1390, which is being used alongside radiotherapy to treat glioblastoma—a type of brain cancer. The drug is designed to make radiotherapy more effective by stopping cancer cells from repairing themselves after treatment.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of brain tumour. The usual treatment involves surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the cancer often returns. The trial is looking for ways to improve treatment for people who have glioblastoma and cancer spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.

This newly opened part of the trial is led by Professor Susan Short, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Ian, a Senior Crown Prosecutor and father of two, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2023 after experiencing symptoms that led to a scan. He said: “The diagnosis was a huge shock; I’d always been healthy and had no medical issues before this.”

He had surgery to remove the tumour in January, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, a scan showed the tumour had returned. Because his body didn’t respond well to chemotherapy, Ian’s doctor referred him to Leeds to explore other treatment options. That’s when he learned about this trial using AZD1390.

Ian added: “I felt hopeful when I heard about the study. “It gave me another option, and as someone with a degree in biology, I also wanted to help future patients by being part of research.”

Since starting the treatment, Ian says he’s been able to continue doing the things he loves, like walking, birdwatching, and spending time with his family: “Apart from feeling more tired than usual, I haven’t had any major side effects. The team here has been incredible—supportive, kind, and always there to answer questions.

“I would absolutely encourage anyone who’s given the chance to consider a clinical trial. Every new treatment has to be tested, and I feel proud to be helping in that process. It’s given me hope—not just for myself, but for others in the future.” The trial is being carried out at the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility, a dedicated space for testing new treatments safely and carefully with the support of expert staff. Patients also benefit from the state-of-the-art Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital, which includes a hotel on the top floor for those travelling long distances.

Professor Susan Short, Clinical Oncologist and Neuro Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the University of Leeds said: “We are really pleased to be offering patients access to promising new treatments like AZD1390 here in Leeds. This part of the trial is an important step in improving care for people with brain cancer.”

Leeds Owls young research group contribute to successful paediatrics incubator programme

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An image of Heather Rostron.

Our Leeds Young Research Owls have supported a successful application for the NIHR Incubator programme.

The NIHR Incubator programme provides career development support for researchers in key areas, helping to identify barriers to building research capacity and bringing together communities to develop solutions.

The team behind the successful bid for the General Paediatrics Incubator, led by Dr Katrina Cathie MBE, recognised the importance of input from children and young people. Their contributions were vital in shaping a bid that effectively captured the needs the incubator aims to address.

Dr Cathie met with the Owls last year to explain more about the incubator project and received valuable feedback, which contributed to the success of the bid.

Heather Rostron, Senior Research Nurse and lead for the Owls group said: “Leeds Young Research Owls enjoyed working with Dr Katrina Cathie MBE to help provide ideas for what support the general paediatrics NIHR incubator should be planning to provide for early career researchers in this field. LYRO members and I were thrilled to hear that the bid was successful and we look forward to working with the incubator steering group further in the future.”

The General Paediatrics Incubator will support research into common childhood conditions such as asthma, diarrhoea and vomiting, colds, ear infections, poor growth, and nutrition.

The Incubator programme has already led to several innovative projects, including the Mental Health Research Incubator and the Nursing and Midwifery Incubator.

NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility expands cardiac research capabilities with new ultrasound machine

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LCRF Cardiovascular team

Leeds continues to lead the way in cardiovascular research, establishing itself as a premier centre in the UK with over 50 active clinical trials using advanced diagnostic equipment. Thanks to funding from the Leeds Hospitals Charity, the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility at Leeds General Infirmary has acquired a second cardiac ultrasound scanner, commonly known as an ‘echo’ machine.

This additional imaging technology will significantly improve research efforts by allowing more patients to participate in groundbreaking clinical trials. The ultrasound machine has the potential to benefit thousands of patients involved in cardiovascular research at Leeds Teaching Hospitals annually.

Cardiac ultrasound technology is vital in diagnosing, assessing, monitoring, and treating patients across various specialties, particularly in heart disease and cancer research. The high-quality imaging provided by this machine plays a crucial role in developing and adopting new treatment pathways, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Since its installation, nearly 750 scans have been performed, offering invaluable insights into heart health. One patient who has benefited from this advanced technology shared their experience:

“I was diagnosed with a faulty heart valve which required regular echo scans for monitoring. The scans were non-intrusive, quick, and painless. They allowed the medical team to track the condition of my valve and determine the optimal timing for its replacement.”

The expansion of cardiac ultrasound technology at Leeds sets the stage for significant advancements over the next five years. The facility is now positioned to develop into a national hub for echocardiography and clinical cardiac science research.

Julie Corrigan, CRF Inclusion Lead at the Leeds Clinical Research Facility, said:

“The echo machine has enabled us to explore novel echocardiographic imaging biomarkers, which may help detect subtle heart impairments. This can allow us to tailor which cardiac device a patient needs before their pacemaker is fitted.”

She further explained:

“Most recently, we have used the echo machine to determine the presence of heart failure in patients with pacemakers. This has given us unique insights into how heart rate correlates with heart function. The data gathered enables us to individualize medication therapy and optimize pacemaker programming, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life, exercise capacity, and reducing the risk of worsening heart failure.”

This cutting-edge cardiac ultrasound machine marks an exciting step forward in cardiovascular research at Leeds, reaffirming its commitment to pioneering advancements in patient care and treatment innovation.

New lung cancer trial recruits UK’s first participant

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An image of nine of the team who work on the SUNRAY-01 trail stood in a clinical corridor.

A study with the NIHR Leeds CRF has recruited the first participant in the UK for an international study testing a new treatment for advanced lung cancer.

The SUNRAY-01 trial recruited its first UK patient this month at St James Hospital’s NIHR Leeds CRF and the Leeds Cancer Centre. SUNRAY-01 is a phase 3 global trial testing a treatment called olomorasib in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Clinicians are studying if the addition of olomorasib alongside traditional treatment can improve outcomes for patients who have the KRAS G12C gene mutation, which is commonly associated with NSCLC.

Dr Katy Clarke, Consultant Thoracic Oncologist and Principal Investigator for SUNRAY-01, said: “It is a testament to the hard work of the whole team that we have the first UK participant in the SUNRAY-01 trial”.

“This trial is aimed at continuing the groundbreaking improvements in lung cancer survival we have seen over the last few years, and I believe this could be another practice changing trial.”

A big congratulations to the teams for this achievement!

For the latest information on clinical trial participation, please visit/contact the SUNRAY 1 – Health Research Authority website.

Hello Hearts: reaching communities in Leeds

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An image for the title of the Hello Hearts Community Outreach Programme. The image text reads: Welcome to the Hello Hearts Community Outreach Programme. The logos for Research and Innovation, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility.

The Hello Hearts Community Outreach Programme is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and increasing participation within local communities in Leeds. Through this initiative, the team is working to engage underserved groups, ensuring that vital research is accessible and widely understood.

To showcase this important work, the team has created a new video highlighting how Hello Hearts is making a difference. Watch now to learn more about the programme and hear from participants in the Leeds community.

Through reaching out and utilising initiatives like this we are aiming to make our research activities more engaging and reflective of the population of Leeds, offering interactive educational sessions, health checks and promoting different way to get involved with research.

NIHR Leeds CRF colleagues featured in Leeds Hospitals Charity exhibition of early career researchers

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An image of Dr Ella Dzora on the left and Dr Rachael Jablonski on the right with medical equipment.

We are pleased to share that our research colleagues are showcased in the Our Research Story exhibition, launched last week by Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Featured by BBC News, the exhibition highlights the impact of patient-focused research at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, showcasing its role as a leading research centre with support from the charity.

Among those featured is Dr Rachael Jablonski, who is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry based at the Leeds School of Dentistry and Leeds Dental Institute.

An image of Dr Rachael Jablonski standing next to a dentist chair with some dental equipment.
Dr Rachael Jablonski

Rachael’s clinical academic training centres on oral and dental rehabilitation for patients affected by head and neck cancer, developmental conditions, or facial trauma.

The research examined the use of digital manufacturing to create facial prostheses, custom-made removable silicone devices designed to replace facial features such as an eye or nose, considering patient, clinical, and broader healthcare perspectives.

Rachel also recently made news with her work for the I’m Still Me exhibition of patients’ portraits who wear facial prostheses after treatment for head and neck cancer to illustrate the physical and psychological impact of living with a facial difference.

Also included is Dr Ella Dzora, who is a paediatric trainee. Ella completed her fellowship in September 2024, gaining experience across various clinical teams, including Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Critical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Orthopaedics, and A&E. Her work focused on supporting early-phase drug trials and Randomised Controlled Trials aimed at enhancing inpatient care.

An image of Dr Ella Dzora standing with some medical equipment next to a patient bed with a balloon mural on the wall with the number five on it. She is wearing clinical scrubs and a stethoscope.
Dr Ella Dzora

Her role was funded to provide education and support to ward teams, creating opportunities for research activities that busy clinicians may not have the time or capacity to undertake in a demanding ward setting.

The exhibition was launched on Thursday, 13 February, bringing together guests from partner organisations, as well as patients and their families. It currently is in the Bexley Wing of St James’s Hospital, where it will run until Sunday, 23 February, as part of LTHT’s ongoing Research and Innovation Week.

From there, it will be displayed at the Parkinson Building at the University of Leeds until Sunday, 3 March, providing an opportunity for the public to visit.

It is also available at the Leeds Hospitals Charity website.