THE CAMBRIDGE STATISTICS DISCUSSION GROUP

Monday 28th November 2011 7:15 for 7:45

Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics,
Centre for Mathematical Sciences,
Wilberforce Road,
Cambridge, CB3 0WB


Large trials in uncommon diseases



Tim Eisen
Cancer Trials Centre

Abstract: Kidney cancer is not as rare a tumour as people think.  About 8,000 people get it every year in the UK and just under half of those people will eventually die from it.  We have made significant advances in surgical and medical treatments for kidney cancer but one area which remains completely lacking is adjuvant treatment, that is medical treatment to reduce the risk of disease returning after a high risk tumour has been removed.  In this talk I will describe the clinical issues and the studies which are currently running to identify successful adjuvant treatments for kidney cancer.  I will then go on to discuss the need for and design of the next adjuvant study, in particular how this will need to be an adaptive design which can take into account possible results from the existing adjuvant studies and remain sufficiently flexible to incorporate new questions in the future.
Speaker: Since 2006 Tim Eisen has been Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at Cambridge University Hospitals and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts. He is also Director of the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre. He studied medicine at the University of Cambridge and gained his PhD at the Marie Curie Research Institute, where he worked on the regulation of gene expression in melanocytes and melanoma. He trained and, subsequently, lectured at the Royal Marsden Hospita, University College London, and the Institute of Cancer Research.

Professor Eisen's research interests focus on developing new treatments for advanced disease, and identifying and managing those at risk of disease, in kidney cancer, lung cancer and melanoma. In kidney cancer and melanoma he has been particularly involved in the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents. His group developed new therapies which block angiogenic signalling and prevent growth of disease in over 75% of patients.
Tim is a trustee and founding member of Kidney Cancer UK, the UK's first charity for kidney cancer support.

Directions: The main entrance is reached from Clarkson Road by going along the footpath to the right of the Newton Institute, and turning left through the gatehouse towards the main building (Pavilion A), which has a glass front and a curved grassed roof. The main entrance is in the middle of the glass front. Free Parking is available after 5pm on Clarkson and Wilberforce Roads and by entering the site off  Wilberforce Road. Admittance may be difficult after 7:45.

Provisional Next Meetings (2012):

2nd February 2012 -  Nelson Kinnersley (Roche UK).
15th March  - David Daniels (Perse School) on 'Mathematics at the Perse school'.
3rd April - Lawrence Sherman (Institute of Criminology).
May - Darrel Ince (Open University).

Supper: Some members eat regularly in the University Centre before each meeting at 5-45pm. Feel free to join them.
Subscriptions: of 1 pound are now due for attending the 2011-2012 session.
Secretary: Peter Watson, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EF;
telephone 01223 355294 Extension 801; E-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

Take a look at our website: http://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/people/peter.watson/csdg.html




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