A new Welsh study is aiming to revolutionise how clinical trials measure the impact of new brain tumour drugs on a patient's physical and emotional wellbeing, alongside assessment of their survival.
Led by Professor Anthony Byrne from Cardiff University, and in collaboration with Professor Melanie Calvert from the University of Birmingham, the research will culminate in a consensus that will define the most important outcomes to measure, according to brain tumour patients, carers and professionals.
The study has received funding of more than £150,000 from The Brain Tumour Charity and patients have welcomed the new research, saying it is vital to better understand the factors that influence both quality of life and survival.
Clinical trials for brain tumours traditionally focus on how a patient's tumour responds to a new treatment, and whether it may extend life or delay progression of the disease. Integrating these new findings into clinical trials across the UK will drive improvements in people's lives after brain tumour diagnosis, treatment and care, the charity said.
