Research
My research interests may be divided into 4 main themes
1. Basic/translational research: which focusses of the differential treatment response seen between Human papillomavirus +ve and –ve oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.
2. Early and late phase Clinical Trials: Joint Chief Investigator respectively for three CRUK funded H&N studies: PATHOS, PATHOS-T & EORTC 1420
3. Clinical outcomes research: with a particular interest in swallowing and voice outcomes following transoral laser microsurgery
4. Cancer Inequalities: and their impact on incidence and outcome for patients with head and neck cancer
Research Interest 1
My main clinical interests relate to function-sparing transoral laser techniques to remove cancers of the larynx (voice-box), oropharynx and hypopharynx (throat), thereby leaving patients with better speech and swallowing function after surgery.
My research interests can be divided into 3 main themes:
Basic/translational research: Much of this research is conducted in collaboration with Dr Mark Boyd, Reader in Molecular Oncology and focuses on the role of the p53 /MDM2/MTBP pathway in the development of metastasis and radioresistance and the therapeutic exploitation of the Unfolded Protein Response.
Clinical Trials: I am the Chief Investigator for the following LCTU managed trials.
REALISTIC: a CR-UK funded Phase I, dose escalation trial of recombinant Listeria monocytogenes (lm)-based vaccine encoding human papilloma virus serotype 16 target antigens (adxs11-001) in patients with Human Papilloma Virus 16 (HPV-16) associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).
HPVUK: A GSK funded multi-centre study designed to establish the prevalence of HPV-16 associated OPSCC in the United Kingdom over the last decade. I am also the Principal Investigator (PI) for
TITAN: A CR-UK funded, multi-centre phase III feasibility study of induction chemotherapy in advanced Head & Neck Cancer. In addition, I am the PI for a further four ongoing multi-centre randomised clinical trials.(PET-NECK,DETERMINE, DETEQT & IoN)
Clinical outcomes research:
This inculudes the acoustic analysis of voice following TOLS for tumours of the larynx; the predictive role of cardio-pulmonary testing in patients undergoing major surgery for H&N cancer and the role of percutaneous tracheostomy in the development of adult tracheal stenosis.
Research grants
LHNC Stage 2: consolidation for clinical impact
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)
November 2023 - March 2028
From Clinic to Community: Contextualising Head and Neck Cancer Inequalities in Merseyside and Cheshire
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)
September 2023 - August 2025
PROTIS: A phase III trial of proton beam therapy versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy for the treatment of sinonasal malignancy (PROTIS)
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK), NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)
March 2022 - March 2031
Bench Fees Ms Alrusayyis
KING SAUD UNIVERSITY (SAUDI ARABIA)
December 2017 - November 2020
Circulating Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancer
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND(UK)
August 2017 - August 2018
Realizing the radiobiological impact of protons and high-LET particles in head and neck cancer and glioblastoma models
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
July 2021 - April 2026
Pathos-T: A Bioresource Collection associated with PATHOS, a Phase II/III trial of risk-stratified, reduced intensity adjuvant treatment in patients undergoing transoral surgery for Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK), NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)
November 2015 - December 2025
PentoxIfylline and Tocopherol for the treatment of poST radiotherapy fibrOsis in head and neck cancer Patients: a feasibility study (PIT-STOP)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
December 2017 - September 2020
Functional investigation of novel biomarkers in head and neck cancers
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
September 2011 - August 2013
TITAN: Trial of induction TPF therapy in advance head and neck cancer
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
October 2010 - September 2013
IMCAT - Immunotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by Transimmunization
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
March 2010 - November 2011
Evaluation of Metastasis-inducing Proteins as Biomarkers of Patient Outcome in Human Cancers
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2009 - February 2013
Workshop on the design and analysis of clinical trials in Head and Neck Cancer
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
June 2013 - April 2014
Study on tumours of the oropharynx caused by the HPB virus
WARRINGTON AND HALTON HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTS (UK)
July 2013 - December 2014
REALISTIC: A Phase I, dose escalation of trial of recombinant listeria moncytogenes (Lm) based vaccine encloding human papilloma virus serotype 16 target antigens (ADXS11-001) in patients with HPV-16+ oropharyngeal SCC.
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
October 2010 - September 2014
Research collaborations
Professor Tony Ng
King's College London
Dr Lakis Liloglou
H&N basic research rpojects
Dr Janet Risk
Dr Jacqueline James
The University of Ulster
UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study.
Dr Liz Junor
The University of Edinburgh
UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study. Phase III RCT of induction TPF in patients with advanced SCCHN.
Dr Stephen Man
University of Wales, Cardiff
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. TILS in SCCHN
Professor Alison Fiander
The University of Wales, Cardiff
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study.
Dr Chris Nutting
Institute of Cancer Research
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study. Phase III RCT of induction TPF in patients with advanced SCCHN.
Dr Mererid Evans
University of Wales, Cardiff
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study. Phase III RCT of induction TPF in patients with advanced SCCHN.
Professor Ross Sibson
Exon array analysis of SCCHN cell lines with a view to identifying differential expressed genes associated with increased cellular motility
Dr Kevin Harrington
Institute of Cancer Research
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study. Phase III RCT of induction TPF in patients with advanced SCCHN.
Professor Hisham Mehanna
The University of Warwick
UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study. Phase III RCT of induction TPF in patients with advanced SCCHN.
Dr Ned Powell
University of Wales, Cardiff
Phase I trail of HPV therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell carcinoma. UK HPV Prevalence in OPSCC Study.
Mr Richard Shaw
Ongoing collaboration to develop a strong academic department of H+N cancer medicine
Professor Kevin Park
Proteomics of H+N cancer. Investigation of novel cytotoxic agents for HNSCC.
Dr Neil Kitteringham
The role of novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of HNSCC. Proteomic analysis of HNSCC, in an attempt to identify biomarkers of metastatic potential.
Professor Phillip Rudland
Identification of genes involved in metastasis of HNSCC
Mr. Jean-Pierre Jeannon
Guys and St Thomas` NHS Trust
Randomised controlled trail of the effectiveness of Immune-enhanced feed for patients undergoing major head and neck surgery
Dr Ged Dempsey and Professor Peter Calverley
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The role of pre-operative Anaerobic Threshold measurement in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones and Dr Rebecca Hanlon
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The role of CT and MR imaging in patients with head and neck cancer
Dr Jon Sheard
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)in the diagnosis of patients with SCCHN.
Professor Paul Carding
The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
The analysis of voice in patients with head and neck cancer,uncergoing voice-altering treatments.
Mr Simon Rogers
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Quality of Life outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer patients
Dr Tim Helliwell
The role of matrix metalloproteases in the development of metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)
Dr Mark Boyd
The role of the MDM2/p53 pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)
Professor Andrew Jones
Clinical outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer.