We need more staff to conduct more clinical trials and improve care, says CUH cancer expert

Professor Jack Gleeson, who took up a combined academic clinician post across CUH/UCC last year, sees clinical researchers working with patients and research as crucial.

A leading Cork-based cancer expert has warned Ireland needs to ramp up patients’ access to clinical trials if we are to improve oncology care.

In Ireland enrolment of cancer patients in trials is “still low” at just 2% even though 6% has been the target since 2017 under the National Cancer Strategy, according to Professor Jack Gleeson, newly appointed as Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at University College Cork and oncologist at Cork University Hospital.

He said clinical trials are an essential source for advances in cancer care.

In recent weeks concern at delays affecting the National Cancer Strategy, including around funding, have been expressed by oncologists and patients. Prof. Gleeson said: "We know cancer clinical trials benefit patients, so getting access to those trials for patients is essential."

Yet, he said, the enrolment rate is still low at only 2-3% currently. “We are aiming for 6% nationally (as under the National Cancer Control Programme's National Cancer Strategy) and ultimately 10% per Organisation of European Cancer Institutes target,” he said.

“For this to happen we need more trials open and for that we need more researchers, more highly trained research nurses, more data managers and more research staff.” 

When patients and doctors work together, he said, they can “design better trials that ensure the patient voice is heard and the right research questions are asked and answered". 

Trials bring new cutting-edge medicine to patients whether wholly run from Ireland or as part of global studies.

“We want to have the infrastructure within our hospitals and our universities to welcome in and attract international collaborative groups and work with them to expand our trials for our patients here in Ireland," said Prof. Gleeson. 

He sees scope for further improvement in links between hospitals, universities and scientists, saying this is critical as cancer involves genetics, cell and tissue biology, pathology, individual patient factors and response to therapy.

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Prof. Gleeson, who took up a combined academic clinician post across CUH/UCC last year, sees clinical researchers working with patients and research as crucial. Medicine which is "novel, more effective and more personalised" is the future of cancer treatment, he said, leading to improved quality of life for patients. 

He is the first of two academic medical oncologists appointed to UCC resulting from a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.

Last month, 21 doctors and researchers, supported by the Irish Cancer Society, penned an open letter to Taoiseach Simon Harris warning progress in cancer care is at risk, including for clinical trials.

“Screening has not been expanded as planned,” the group warned. "Target waiting times for cancer tests are not being met. Cancer surgeries are frequently delayed due to shortages in staffing, beds and theatre space.

“Investment in infrastructure has been lacking, despite increasing infection control issues and rising cancer incidence.” 

They warned: “We are falling far short of the already modest target of 6% of cancer patients participating in clinical trials.” The group called on the Taoiseach to “commit to sufficient ringfenced, multi-annual funding to enable full delivery of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.”