PREDICT-Meso (Pre-malignant drivers combined with target-drug validation in mesothelioma) is an international network of researchers across the UK, Spain, Italy and Belgium interested in the study of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM).
MPM is preceded by decades of pleural inflammation providing a window of opportunity for precision prediction and early treatment that the network wishes to explore. Together the teams hope to better understand how MPM develops from its early stages and translate this into more effective diagnosis and treatment for patients.
The network aims to develop new research tools, resources, collaborations and infrastructure to support current and future MPM research, including:
- A website for data and knowledge sharing
- A PREDICT-Meso specific Research Tissue Bank for sample collection, storage and access
- New patient derived cell lines
- Target-drug combinations and screening
- Mouse models
- Clinical studies
- Development of an AI algorithm for automated tumour scoring
- Links with BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China)- where asbestos is still widely used.
PREDICT-Meso is funded by CRUK, along with leading cancer research charities in Italy, AIRC (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca Sul Cancro), and Spain, FC-AECC (Fundacion Cientifica de la Asociacion Espanola Contra El Cancer), encouraging cross-institutional and pan-European collaboration to accelerate translational research in MPM.
If you have an interest in, or any questions about, the network and it’s projects please contact the PREDICT-Meso Project Manager, Dr Alexandrea MacPherson at Alexandrea.macpherson@glasgow.ac.uk
Mesothelioma UK’s Mesothelioma Outcomes Research and Experience (MORE) Survey.
The MORE survey covers the feedback from over 500 people living with mesothelioma who provided information about their clinical circumstances, their experience of care and their current quality of life. Please click on link below to access survey findings.
Mesothelioma UK MORE survey link
Mesothelioma UK’s Military Experience of Mesothelioma Study (MiMES)
The MiMES study explores the incidence and prevalence of Mesothelioma amongst British Arm Forces Veterans. Please click on link below to access study findings.
Mesothelioma Asbestos Guidance Study (MAGS)
The MAGS study’s aim is to develop a critical account of the experiences of presentation, diagnosis, treatment and care for Healthcare staff with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Asbestos Guidance Study (MAGS)
BBC Scotland – AI technology being used to assess tumour growth in Mesothelioma patients
NEW Macmillan MESOTHELIOMA CLINICAL FELLOW BASED IN QUEEN ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Delighted to have Dr Matthew Tate join the Scottish Mesothelioma Network. Dr Tate is a trainee in Respiratory Medicine in Glasgow and thanks to 2 years funding from our partners Macmillan Cancer Support, has recently been appointed to the post of Macmillan Mesothelioma Clinical Fellow based within the Glasgow Pleural Disease Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
His clinical role includes the care of people with suspected and proven mesothelioma both in and out of hospital. A focus his role will be collecting data and reporting outcomes from the Scottish Mesothelioma Network, examining how the network has impacted access to specialist diagnostic and symptom control services, new treatments and enrolment in clinical trials. He will also report on how the network has improved other services supporting people with mesothelioma across Scotland, such as support groups and new clinical nurse specialist posts.
Rethinking continuity in primary care for people with mesothelioma
Dear Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialists,
I am a PhD student attached to the Mesothelioma Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. I also work as a GP in Newcastle.
I am undertaking a research study to understand the experiences of patients with mesothelioma, their close persons and their healthcare professionals of continuity in primary care. Specifically, I wish to understand the effort it takes patients and their close persons to achieve their desired level of continuity with their GP and other primary care healthcare professionals.
The study is funded by Mesothelioma UK and sponsored by the University of Sheffield. It has received University ethical approval.
My plan is to conduct case studies of patient journeys through the healthcare system over a 1-year period. This will involve between 3-6 virtual interviews (by video or phone call) with up to 6 individuals with mesothelioma, their close persons and their healthcare professionals.
I aim to start recruiting patients (then with their consent; close persons and healthcare professionals involved with their care) from January 2023. I would be very grateful for your input with this, given your professional proximity to and supportive relationships with such patients.
Study information will also be advertised on the Mesothelioma UK website, in the magazine, via social media channels and circulated to patient participation groups and support groups associated with the charity. Interested people will be directed to my University of Sheffield email address and to the study webpage on the ‘Current research projects’ section of the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre website https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/murc/our-research/current/rethinking-continuity-primary-care-people-mesothelioma. After they have made contact, I will respond by phone or by email (depending on their preference).
I have attached a copy of the study advert for patients that will be advertised on the Mesothelioma UK website; and a copy of the Participant Information Sheet written for healthcare professionals, so that you can get a more detailed sense of what would be required in case any of you are involved in the project as a participant through a patient’s involvement.
For context, after this phase of the study is complete, I will arrange stakeholder consultation workshops with patients, professionals and policy makers to discuss how the case study research findings could be used to improve continuity in primary care for people with mesothelioma, and to develop theory to underpin new guidance that will support patients and close persons to achieve their desired level of continuity.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (emcouchman1@shef.ac.uk) or my supervisors Dr Clare Gardiner (c.gardiner@shef.ac.uk), Dr Steph Ejegi-Memeh (s.ejegi-memeh@shef.ac.uk) or Dr Sarah Mitchell (s.j.mitchell@shef.ac.uk).
I very much look forward to working with you.
With best wishes,
Emilie