Cancer survivorship programme

PARTICIPATE IN THE ETCh STUDY

Have you survived cancer for more than three years? Join our study to help us discover new cancer treatments.

Join our ETCh study

OUR GOAL

Moving towards a cancer-free future

A crucial part of this mission is understanding the immune systems of long-term cancer survivors who have successfully fought the disease.

Using our advanced AI-driven methodology, Etcembly is analysing the immune repertoires of survivors to uncover how they fight tumours. These insights will unlock the keys to sustained remission and identify new targets for breakthrough cancer therapies.

HOW TO JOIN

THE ETCh STUDY

Decoding the immune repertoire for health and disease

WHY ARE WE RUNNING THIS STUDY?

We believe that studying the immune systems of cancer survivors is critical for fueling the development of new treatments that harness a patient’s own immune system to fight the disease.

The immune systems of cancer survivors hold the key to new cures.

WHAT IS THIS STUDY LOOKING AT?

T-cell receptors (TCRs) are specialised immune system molecules that play an essential role in recognising and destroying cancer cells. TCRs and antibodies in survivors can ‘remember’ the specific tumour molecules they responded to when fighting the disease.

Our researchers will analyse blood samples from survivors to identify the tumour molecules recognised by the immune system that drive strong anti-cancer responses. We can then begin to design new therapies targeting those molecules, which could help future patients.

Blood samples from healthy individuals will also be studied to build a richer picture of the immune system.

WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS STUDY?

At your enrollment visit, you will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire. Those in the cancer arm of the study must also complete a questionnaire about their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

If you agree to join the study, you will be asked to give a blood sample (usually 50 ml, with one optional donation up to 300 ml) up to five times over the course of a year. Blood draws are performed at the Oxford Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), Oxford Business Park, OX4 2LL, or at our research facility at the Harwell Science & Innovation campus, OX11 0QX, around 15 miles south of Oxford.

RECRUITING NOW

Who can participate
in this study?

You can join the study if you:

• Are aged 18 or over, male or female.

• Are currently living with, or have survived any type of clinically confirmed cancer.*

• Are able to provide informed consent to take part.

• Are able to donate blood safely.

• Are not pregnant.

*Individuals not living with or have not been diagnosed with cancer may be eligible for the healthy donor arm of this study.

By taking part in this study, you’ll be contributing to research that could propel the discovery and development of powerful new cancer treatments.
At your enrollment visit, you will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire. Participants in the cancer arm of the study must also complete a questionnaire about their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

If you agree to join the study, you will be asked to give a blood sample (usually 50 ml, with one optional donation up to 300 ml) up to five times over the course of a year. Blood draws are performed at the Oxford Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), Oxford Business Park, OX4 2LL, or at our research facility at the Harwell Science & Innovation campus, OX11 0QX, around 15 miles south of Oxford.
Blood donation is safe, and the small amount of blood being taken should not cause any problems for a typical adult.

We are careful to protect your privacy and ensure that our data-handling measures comply with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Part of your sample will be used to look at components of the immune system, such as T cell receptors (TCRs).

The remainder will be frozen for long-term storage and, if you approve, may be used anonymously in the future for other ethically approved health studies.

The blood samples will be kept for up to 15 years after the end of the study.
A small number of relevant team members will have access to participants’ identifiable data during the study.

Personal information about participants will be stored on secure servers for up to 12 months following the end of the study, then deleted.
Each participant will be given £20 per visit to cover the inconvenience of attending. Participants traveling over 10 miles are eligible to receive £30, and those traveling over 20 miles may receive £35. We will also offer the option to donate all or part of this payment to one of five nominated charities instead.

Participants will not benefit financially from taking part in this study. For example, you will not receive any money if this research leads to the commercial development of a new therapeutic.
Participation in this study is purely voluntary. If at any stage you do not wish to continue, inform a member of the study team. You will also have the option to have any samples or data collected from you destroyed.
We cannot provide you with any information about your immune cells or health, but you will have the option to allow us to contact your GP if we find anything that may be cause for concern.

We will publish the study's results in the scientific literature if appropriate. All personal data will be anonymised before the publication of any findings.
This study has been reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee (IRAS NUMBER - 308371), which is satisfied with the scientific justification, design, and infrastructure of this study.