Sligo

Researchers are establishing the International Registry to Improve Outcomes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN), a study enrolling at least 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer, including metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (M0/M1 CRPC). This international cohort will collect data from patients across various countries including Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, and others to better understand differences in care and treatment across academic and community settings worldwide. Participants will receive standard care treatments for metastatic prostate cancer as determined by local practices. The study will collect detailed data at enrollment and during follow-up for a minimum of five years. Blood samples and, when feasible, tumor tissue will be collected at enrollment, at treatment changes, and at one-year follow-up to help identify molecular markers related to treatment response and resistance. During participation, patients will complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at enrollment and every three months. Physicians will provide questionnaires at enrollment, treatment changes, one-year follow-up, and treatment discontinuation. Researchers will track overall survival, adverse events, comorbidities, treatment changes, and patient quality of life to identify optimal treatment sequences and outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of mirvetuximab soravtansine combined with bevacizumab as maintenance therapy in adult women with platinum-sensitive ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers that have high folate receptor-alpha (FRα) expression. This Phase 3, multicenter, open-label study focuses on patients who have not progressed after second-line platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. Participants must have tumors confirmed as FRα-positive using the Ventana FOLR1 assay. Participants will be assigned to receive either mirvetuximab soravtansine at 6.0 mg/kg adjusted ideal body weight plus bevacizumab at 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks, or bevacizumab alone at 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Mirvetuximab soravtansine is an investigational antibody drug conjugate designed to selectively kill cancer cells expressing FRα. The treatment is given as maintenance therapy following prior platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab. During the study, participants will undergo regular assessments to monitor progression-free survival for up to 4 years. Researchers will evaluate disease status and safety through clinical evaluations. Participants will also need to adhere to contraceptive requirements during treatment and for several months after. The study aims to understand how well the treatment combination controls cancer without progression and to assess its safety profile over time.

Researchers are evaluating if Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) dressings can reduce surgical site infections, post-surgical complications, and improve scar appearance compared to standard wound dressings in patients undergoing abdominal surgery through a midline laparotomy. The study addresses the significant impact of wound complications after abdominal surgery, which can delay recovery, increase hospital stay, and raise healthcare costs. Limited data exists on the use of NPWT for laparotomy incisions, so this trial aims to provide evidence for its effectiveness and cost implications in both acute and elective surgical settings. The study compares two groups: one receiving NPWT dressings applied to the surgical wound after laparotomy and the other receiving standard wound dressings. NPWT dressings work by removing and absorbing fluid leaking from the wound, potentially improving healing and scar outcomes. Both treatments are applied after the surgical procedure. The trial includes evaluation periods at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery to monitor wound healing and infection rates. Participants will be involved in follow-up assessments including monitoring for surgical site infections at multiple time points after surgery. Researchers will also collect data on wound healing, scar appearance, and patient quality of life through questionnaires. The study will include a cost analysis to understand the economic impact of using NPWT dressings. Overall participation covers the immediate post-operative period and extends through 6 months of follow-up to capture both short- and longer-term outcomes.

In Ireland, breast cancer affects over 3,000 women each year, with 1 in 9 women expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. Female breast cancer survivors face a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to other women of the same age. This research aims to develop and evaluate care pathways that address the side effects of cancer treatments impacting heart health and overall quality of life for women during and after their cancer therapy. The study focuses on creating a specialized Cardio-Oncology assessment and surveillance approach for breast cancer patients at risk of heart problems. The study is a prospective, single-arm pilot trial conducted at Galway University Hospital (GUH). It will establish a Cardio-Oncology pathway for adult women diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer who are undergoing systemic chemotherapy. This approach will assess the feasibility of using the pathway for early detection and risk assessment of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), aiming to inform future clinical service development nationally and internationally. Participants will be monitored over two years with health questionnaires measuring quality of life and physical activity at the start and every six months up to 12 months. Researchers will analyze changes in quality of life and physical activity over time, correlating these with cancer treatment and heart health outcomes. The primary outcome is the number of participants successfully assessed and monitored following the Cardio-Oncology guidelines. Data analysis will involve biostatisticians to explore associations between treatment, heart effects, and patient quality of life.