“Clinical trials can prove what works and what doesn’t” | Celebrating 25 years of Sheffield's Cancer Clinical Trials Centre

For 25 years, the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre (CCTC) and Weston Park Cancer Charity have been working together to support cancer care.

Funding from Weston Park Cancer Charity supports vital members of staff, including research nurses like Maria Gultiaeva. Research nurses are involved in almost every aspect of the clinical trials process – from recruiting patients to delivering treatment. 

Here, we caught up with Maria to learn more about her role and the CCTC’s groundbreaking work.

Could you tell me about your career background and your role at the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre?

I came into healthcare via the IT industry where I worked as a system administrator. Before moving to the UK, I trained in Russia to be a nurse and later a doctor. In the UK, I started as a healthcare assistant in haemodialysis and then went on to gain a licence to work as a nurse.

During the pandemic, I developed a strong interest in medical research and was lucky enough to get my first research job in Sheffield. I initially worked in non-cancer studies, but as time went on I became interested in the advances being made in cancer research. I decided to apply for a job at Weston Park Cancer Centre and now I am a research sister in early-phase cancer trials.

What first made you want to get involved in cancer research?

I took part in a course which focused on advanced cancer therapies. It had a ‘wow’ effect on me and from that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about working in cancer research.

What could a typical day at work look like for you?

We are usually very busy, so starting the day with a hot brew is a must for me! On a typical day we have a combination of clinics to attend and treatments to give to patients. We normally also have a lot of study-related paperwork to catch up on.

Could you share a career highlight from your time at the CCTC?

Last year, I successfully applied to the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) Principal Investigator Pipeline Program. Once I complete this programme, I’ll be able to take a lead role in delivering our cancer trials.

January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month – are you currently working on any trials related to this area?

We have one cervical cancer trial open to recruitment at the moment. We are studying the safety and side effects of a new targeted drug which has been shown to block the growth of certain cancer proteins in the laboratory. This is the first time patients with cervical cancer are having this new targeted treatment in combination with standard care, so initially we will be looking at tolerability, best doses and any side effects prior to moving on to study its effects on cervical cancer in the long run.

Why are clinical trials so important for the future of cancer care?

Because clinical trials can prove what works and what doesn’t. They help researchers to understand more about potential new treatments and gather information that can help improve future care for cancer patients. They can also show us how effective prevention, diagnostics, and treatments can be.

How does funding from Weston Park Cancer Charity impact your work?

Weston Park Cancer Charity helps to fund our jobs, which means we can deliver more trials at a time at the CCTC.

How does Weston Park Cancer Charity’s work impact your patients?

Thanks to Weston Park Cancer Charity’s free transport service, our patients have a place to go if they’re struggling to get to their appointments. They can also access emotional support and practical advice through the charity.

You can enable life-changing cancer research and support the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre by making a donation today.