Clinical trial organisations
This page has information about
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
The Centre for Drug Development (CDD) also develops and assesses new treatments for patients with cancer.
The Cancer Research UK website are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. This includes lots of easy to understand information about cancer. There is also a database of clinical trials.
As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send us a question online.
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre (ECMC) Network
The ECMC network aims to bring together cancer doctors, research nurses and scientists to make clinical trials of new treatments quicker, easier and safer. The ECMC network is made up of 18 adult centres and 11 paediatric locations across the UK. They are all involved with clinical trials of experimental treatments and tests.
The ECMC initiative was set up in 2007 and is funded by Cancer Research UK and the Departments of Health of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The centres use the money to run trials of new and experimental treatments. ECMC trials are mostly small phase 1 and phase 2 trials looking at new treatments. They also analyse thousands of blood and tissue samples (biopsies) to help find out more about how treatments work and what happens to cancer cells.
Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Medical Research Council is a national organisation funded by the UK Government. They work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and other organisations. They fund research in all areas of health care, including cancer. Their research ranges from laboratory work to clinical trials with patients.
Phone: 01793 416200
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is mainly funded by the Government through the Department of Health and Social Care.
They provide the staff, facilities and technology to help the research process. They work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public. Their aim is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
Be Part of Research is run by the NIHR. The website has information about clinical trials and other research running in the UK.
Email: enquiries@nihr.ac.uk
National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)
The National Cancer Research Institute was set up in 2001. It is a partnership between the UK government, charities and industry. The aim of the NCRI is to oversee and coordinate cancer research in the UK. And to continue to improve the quality and relevance of cancer research.
Email: info@ncri.org.uk
Phone: 020 3469 8798
NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is funded by the NIHR. It is a national research programme that helps assess tests and treatments to see how good and how cost effective they are. The HTA funds research and clinical trials in all areas of healthcare including prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Email: htafunding@nihr.ac.uk
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
The EORTC was founded in 1962 to improve the standard of cancer treatment in Europe. They fund research into cancer, including the development of new drugs. They also fund and co-ordinate a large number of clinical trials across Europe.
The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
The EBMT aims to bring together doctors treating patients with bone marrow transplants, to share experiences and work together. They also fund research. They have offices in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France.
Email: info@ebmt.org
Phone: 0207 188 8402
International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP)
The International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) is a database of information about cancer research that is funded by organisations in the UK and other countries. It was set up in 2003 to help researchers find information about current cancer research projects. Members of the public can also look at the information on the ICRP website, but it tends to be written for medical professionals.
International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISCTRN)
The ISCTRN is a database of trials that are running worldwide. It was set up in 2000 and gives each trial a unique identifying number. It includes trials for cancer as well as other diseases. The aim is to ensure that trials and the results of trials are easy and available to access.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is an American organisation that carries out cancer research. They fund laboratory research and clinical trials for cancer patients in the US and around the world. They provide information about cancer and its treatments in English and Spanish.
We have listed some organisations below that are involved in research for particular types of cancer.
Bowel (colorectal) cancer
Guts UK
Guts UK (used to be called CORE) is a charity that supports research into a large range of digestive disorders, including cancer. They also produce information for patients.
Email: info@gutscharity.org.uk
Phone: 020 7486 0341
The Bobby Moore Fund
The Bobby Moore Fund raises money for research into bowel cancer. They aim to raise awareness of symptoms so that people are diagnosed earlier.
Email: bmf@cancer.org.uk
Phone: 0870 609 1966
Brain Tumours
The Brain Tumour Charity
The Brain Tumour Charity funds research into brain tumours and offers support and information to those affected. It also raises awareness and influences policy.
Email: support@thebraintumourcharity.org
Helpline: 0808 800 0004
Breast cancer
Breast Cancer Now
A UK wide organisation that funds research into breast cancer and campaigns for better treatments and services. They have their own research centre within the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, Surrey. They also offer support and information for people affected by breast cancer.
Email: info@breastcancernow.org
Phone: 0808 800 6000
Breast International Group (BIG)
Breast International Group (BIG) was founded in 1996 by a group of breast cancer specialists and is based in Belgium. They share knowledge and information about research and clinical trials and aim to speed up recruitment onto clinical trials. They fund and co-ordinate breast cancer trials to improve treatments and quality of life.
Email: via contact us form
Phone: +32 2 486 16 00
Blood cancer
Blood Cancer UK
Blood Cancer UK raises money for research into the causes and treatment of leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma. They also provide information and support and produce information booklets
Blood Cancer UK have a trials support service. You can contact one of their nurse advisors to find out about trials that are running in the UK. The nurses are experienced in blood cancers and clinical trials. They can talk through the available trials with you and see if there are any suitable trials for you to join.
To arrange a referral for this service, visit the Blood Cancer UK trial referral page
Email: support@bloodcancer.org.uk
Phone: 0808 2080 888
Myeloma UK
Myeloma UK fund research looking at patient care and treatments for myeloma. They provide information and support for patients and their families. They also produce booklets and have details of myeloma support groups in the UK
Tel: 0800 980 3332
Email: myelomauk@myeloma.org.uk
UK Myeloma Forum
The UK Myeloma Forum (UKMF) develops and promotes clinical trials for myeloma. They also develop guidelines for treatment and provide information for patients and health care professionals.
Lung cancer
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
This organisation, founded in Roy Castle's memory, funds research into lung cancer and provides support for those affected. Their two main areas of research are early detection of lung cancer and improving the patient experience
Email: foundation@roycastle.org
Phone: 0333 323 720
Melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma Focus
Melanoma Focus fund research into melanoma. They also provide support and information for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
Helpline: 0808 801 0777
Prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer UK
Prostate Cancer UK fund research focussing on prevention, diagnosis and treatments. They provide information and support for patients with prostate cancer. They have a helpline and information about support groups, and produce leaflets for patients.
Helpline: 0800 074 8383
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
Related information
Next review due: 1 February 2025
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