image showing molecular structure

Section of Clinical Trials Research

Research Groups

Julia Brown

Clinical Trials Research on cancer, older people, and cardiovascular disease



The CTRU is a NHS-funded, National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) accredited and UKCRC Registered research unit based at the University of Leeds within Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine. It has a national and international reputation for conducting complex, multi-centre clinical trials. The CTRU works with NHS partners and University colleagues, providing academic support and infrastructure to enable local, national and international researchers, design and undertake high quality, rigorous, multi-centre trials to MRC/ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. The CTRU is a strong unit and underpins a large amount of trials work undertaken in the UK. 

The CTRU provides multi-disciplinary academic leadership for the development and management of rigorous clinical trials, with input to all aspects of trials activity, including statistical design, protocol development, randomisation, development of outcome measures, data management, logistical issues, statistical analysis, interpretation of results and publication.  Both the CTRU’s track record in conducting complex clinical trials and its associated methodological research (for example recruitment into trials and quality of life measures) inform the academic development of this specialised field of clinical research on a national and international level.

The CTRU is a Coordinating Centre Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) for both the National Clinical Research Network and National Cancer Research Network (NCRN), and senior members of the CTRU multidisciplinary trialist team have contributed significantly to national activity providing the trialists perspective to developments in the clinical research field to maximise accrual of UK NHS patients into clinical trials.

The CTRU is organised into four divisions, within which the portfolios reflect both national priorities and strengths in Leeds:

  • Cancer Research Division - Co Directors Prof Julia Brown & Prof Walter Gregory
    • Breast Cancer Portfolio
    • Colorectal & Other Cancers Portfolio
    • Haematological Oncology Portfolio
    • Psychosocial Portfolio

      Health Sciences Division - Director Ms Amanda Farrin
      Mental Health Portfolio
      Obesity Portfolio
      Older People
      Stroke Portfolio
  • Comprehensive Health Research Division – Co Directors Prof Jane Nixon & Dr Janine Gray
    Cardiovascular Portfolio
  • Musculoskeletal Portfolio
  • Oral Health Portfolio
  • Skin Portfolio

    Statistical Methodology Division - Director Prof Walter Gregory
    Statistical Methodology Portfolio

  • The CTRU collaborates with the pharmaceutical industry in many of its studies which strengthens the trial portfolios through expertise in ICH GCP and Medicines for Human Uses (Clinical Trials) 2004 Regulations, together with strong clinical collaborations. The large CTRU statistics team has a broad range of experience and provides a supportive environment to pursue methodological research alongside clinical trials.

  • The CTRU is currently undertaking approximately 80 trials/studies including methodological studies that underpin scientific rigour in our trial design and analysis.  The CTRU has approximately 120 staff members and grant income is approximately £4 million per annum.  Grants have been achieved from a variety of funders: MRC, Cancer Research UK, BHF, Wellcome, LRF, NIHR, NHS HTA, EORTC and European Union Biomed Programme.  In addition there are ten industry-funded trials (eight investigator-led and two industry-led regulatory trials).