ICORG have joined the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP). www.etop-eu.org.
ETOP was founded in 2009 to create a network of European research groups and institutions engaged in clinical and translational research in thoracic malignancies. The aim of the group is to improve collaboration between researchers, to explore new ways of working together and to improve the dissemination of knowledge and expertise in a rapidly evolving therapeutic area.
Membership of ETOP provides ICORG with the ability to extend our studies easily into other European countries. Membership also enables ICORG investigators to participate in studies co-ordinated by ETOP or by other ETOP members.
There are immediate plans for ICORG to participate in the BELIEF study which is being co-ordinated by ETOP (Open label Phase II trial of Erlotinib and Bevacizumab in patients with advanced NSCLC and activating EGFR mutations). This study will initially be opened at Prof. Kenneth O’Byrne’s site in St James’s Hospital and will include more ICORG sites at a later date. ICORG are looking forward to collaborating with ETOP on many future clinical trials.