ABS Research Development Grants

2015

Magnetic Occult Lesion Localization (MOLL) for non-palpable breast cancer
Muneer Ahmed, King’s College London

Publications (Full manuscripts/ conference paper abstracts)

Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer (MagSNOLL Trial). Ahmed M et al. British Journal of Surgery 102(6):646-652, May 2015

Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer: initial results of the MagSNOLL trial. Ahmed M et al. Cancer Research 75(9). May 2015

A Novel application of magnetic nanotechnology for lesion localization and concurrent sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer. Ahmed M et al. British Journal of Surgery. April 2015

Optimising magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy in an in vivo porcine model. Ahmed M et al. Nanomedicine 11(4): 993-1002, May 2015

Presentations (Oral or Poster)

Magnetic sentinel node and occult lesion localization in breast cancer: initial results of the MagSNOLL trial.

Presented at the Thirty-seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX

 A Novel application of magnetic nanotechnology for lesion localization and concurrent sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

Presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the Society of Academic and Research Surgery

2015

Patient Priorities in Breast Cancer Research
Cliona Kirwan, on behalf of the NorthWest Breast Trainees Research Collaborative

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Patient and public priorities for breast cancer research: a qualitative study in the UK. Boundouki G et al. BMJ Open 11(1). Jan 2021. 

-Public and patient perspectives and priorities for breast cancer research (4Ps). Ballance L et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 44(6). Jun 2018

-A novel approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research. Boundouki G et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 42(5). May 2016

Presentations (oral or poster)

-A novel approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research

Presented at the 2016 ABS conference

-Setting up a public involvement study

Presented at the 2016 Mammary Fold Academic & Research day

-Funding patient and public participation in research: an alternative to traditional sources

Presented at the 2016 ASiT conference

-Non-traditional approach to obtaining funding for patient and public participation in research

Presented at the 2015 National Research Collaboratives meeting

2015

Intra-operative rapid evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectroscopy for Oncological Martin Control in Breast Conserving Surgery – Towards an Intelligent Knife for Breast Cancer Surgery
Daniel Leff, Imperial College London & Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry of electrosurgical vapours for the identification of breast pathology: towards an intelligent knife for breast cancer surgery. St John ER et al. Breast Cancer Research 19(1). May 2017. 

-Real time intraoperative classification of breast tissue with the intelligent knife. St. John ER et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 42(5): S25. May 2016

-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry towards real time intraoperative oncological margin status determination in breast conserving surgery, St. John ER et al. Cancer Research 76(4S): P2-12-20.Feb 2016

 Presentations (oral or poster)

-Intra-operative Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry: A Future Intelligent Knife (iKnife) for Oncological Margin Control?

British Journal of Surgery prize for best oral presentation at the 2015 ABS conference

-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry towards real time intraoperative oncological margin status determination in breast conserving surgery

Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX

2015

Can text message reminders improve uptake of breast screening? A randomised control trial
Sarah Huf, Imperial College London

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Behavioural economics and breast cancer screening: Looking beyond patient cost. Huf S et al. J Women’s Health. 28(7). Jul 2019

-Behavioural text message reminders to improve participation in breast screening: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 390(S46). Nov 2017

Presentations (oral or poster)

2016

The TeaM (Therapeutic Mammaplasty) Study – A national audit of the practice and outcomes of therapeutic mammoplasty
Shelley Potter on behalf of the Mammary Fold Academic & Research Collaborative

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-The TeaM (Therapeutic Mammaplasty) study: Protocol for a prospective multi-centre cohort study to evaluate the practice and outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty. Baker E et al. International Journal of Surgery Protocols. Vol 1, 2016, 3-10.

-Current practice and short‐term outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty in the international TeaM multicentre prospective cohort study. O’Connell RL et al. British Journal of Surgery. Vol 105, Dec 2018, 1778-1792.

-Therapeutic mammaplasty is a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction. Potter S et al. British Journal of Surgery. Feb 2020

-Combined analysis of 2,916 patients in the iBRA-2 and TeaM multicentre prospective cohort studies. The TeaM Steering Group et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology (2019) 45 (5): 879-80

-The TeaM study – A national audit of the practice and outcomes of Therapeutic Mammaplasty. The TeaM Steering Group et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat (2018) 167: 349.

-Therapeutic Mammaplasty yields a high rate of successful primary excision and ultimate breast preservation – initial results from the UK TeaM study. Baker E et al. European Journal of Cancer, 2018; 92(Supp3) S17-160

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Current practice and short‐term outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty in the international TeaM multicentre prospective cohort study

Presented at the 2017 Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery (ORBS) meeting, Nottingham

Presented at the 2018 11th European Breast Cancer conference, Barcelona

Presented at the 2018 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Manchester

-Therapeutic mammaplasty is a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction

Presented at the 2019 ABS conference

Further grants

-The ANTHEM feasibility study: Is A Novel THErapeutic mammaplasty procedure a safe and effective alternative to Mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer?

ABS research development grant 2019

2016
An exploratory study of breast cancer initiating events in BRCA1 mutation carriers
Stuart McIntosh, Queen’s University Belfast

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Chemoprevention in BRCA1 mutation carriers (CIBRAC): protocol for an open allocation of crossover feasibility trial assessing mechanisms of chemoprevention with goserelin and anastrozole versus tamoxifen and acceptability of treatment. Campbell A et al. BMJ open. Dec 2018

-BRCA1 deficiency exacerbates estrogen-induced DNA damage and genomic instability. Savage K et al. Cancer Research. Mar 2014

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Chemoprevention in BRCA1 mutation carriers (CIBRAC): A proof of concept clinical trial

Presented at the fortieth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2017 Dec; San Antonio, TX

2017

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer (NeST) – a prospective, multicentre audit
Stuart McIntosh on behalf of the Northern Ireland Surgical Research Collaborative and the Mammary Fold Academic & Research Committee

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Current practice and surgical outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: UK NeST study. Fatayer H et al. British Journal of Surgery. May 2022.

-The NeST (Neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study: National Practice Questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making. Whitehead I et al. BMC Cancer 21:90. 2021

-The NeST (neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study- protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to assess the current utilization and short-term outcomes of neoadjuvant systemic therapies in breast cancer. Irwin GW et al. International Journal of Surgery Protocols. Nov 2019

-National utilisation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy and impact on surgical treatment – a prospective multicentre cohort study. McIntosh SA et al. Cancer Research. Feb 2020.

Presentations (oral or poster)

-NeST trial data (ABS & UKBCG guidance on NACT section)

Presented at the 2022 ABS conference

-National utilisation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy and impact on surgical treatment – a prospective multicentre cohort study

Presented at the forty-second Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2019 Dec; San Antonio, TX

-Surgical outcomes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy – a UK national prospective multi-centre cohort study

Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham

Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham

-NEST (neoadjuvant chemotherapy: management of axilla and trials session)

Presented at the 2019 ABS conference

-Utilisation and short term outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a prospective national multicenter study

5th World Congress on Controversies in Breast Cancer, San Francisco, USA, September 2019 (oral presentation)

-The NeST (neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer) study

Melbourne Joint International Breast Congress, October 2018

2017

The Pre-BRA (Pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction Evaluation) Study 

Shelley Potter, Chris Holcombe and Richard Jackson on behalf of the Breast Reconstruction Evaluation Network (iBRA NET)

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Short-term safety outcomes of mastectomy and immediate prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: Pre-BRA prospective multicentre cohort study. Harvey KL et al. British Journal of Surgery, June 2022

-The Pre-BRA (pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction EvAluation) feasibility study: protocol for a mixed-methods IDEAL 2a/2b prospective cohort study to determine the safety and effectiveness of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction. Harvey KL et al. BMJ Open. Jan 2020

-The pre-BRA study. International Journal of Surgery, Nov 2018

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Patient-reported outcomes of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: Early results from the Pre-BRA prospective multi-centre cohort study’

Presented at the 2022 ABS conference (winning prize paper at the prize paper session, presented by Miss Kate Harvey)

-The pre-BRA; Progress and how to get involved

Presented at the 2019 iBRA NET update meeting, Birmingham

-Exploring the feasibility of using mixed methods within an IDEAL 2a/2b study to facilitate the safe, transparent and efficient early-phase evaluation of a novel surgical technique: The pre-BRA study.

Presented at the Society for Clinical Trials. New Orleans, May 2019

-The pre-BRA study

Presented at the 2018 IDEAL conference, Bristol

Further grants

-One Year Royal College of Surgeons of England Research Fellowship awarded to Miss Kate Harvey (2018-19; supervisors: S Potter, N Mills, C Holcombe) £61,470

-NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Director’s Fund award (2018-2019) 

2017

Pilot study towards the development of an objective evaluation of outcome after implant-based breast reconstruction using 3D-surface imaging (3D-SI) and a novel online research tool

Jenny Rusby, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton

 Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-A scoring system for 3D surface images of breast reconstruction developed using the Delphi consensus process. Godden AR et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 46(9). Sep 2020.

-3-Dimensional objective aesthetic evaluation to replace panel assessment after breast-conserving treatment. Godden AR et al. Breast Cancer 27(6). 2020.

-Evaluating aesthetic outcome for breast reconstruction; a Delphi consensus process for expert panel assessment as a baseline for an objective aesthetic assessment tool. Godden AR et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2019.

-Reducing the Burden of Research: a Feasibility Study of a Novel Online Study Design for use in a Multi-Centre Study. Godden AR. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2019.

-Validation of the Vectra XT three-dimensional imaging system for measuring breast volume and symmetry following oncological reconstruction. O’Connell RL et al. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Jun 2018

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Evaluating aesthetic outcome for breast reconstruction; a Delphi consensus process for expert panel assessment as a baseline for an objective aesthetic assessment tool.

Presented at the 2019 ABS conference (awarded poster prize)

2018

iBRA-NET - National Audit of Magseed localisation of breast lesions

James Harvey, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Magseed

This project recruited 2300 patients from 35 UK breast units. The main study finding has demonstrated that Magseeds are as good as wires at localising breast cancer but with logistical advantages to the healthcare providers. The study has also led to further commercial arms of the study being open using localizer, Savi Scout, and Pintuition.

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Wire- and magnetic-seed-guided localization of impalpable breast lesions: iBRA-NET localisation study. Dave RV et al. British Journal of Surgery 109(3). Feb 2022.

-A Novel Mixed-Methods Platform Study Protocol for Investigating New Surgical Devices, with Embedded Shared Learning: Ibra-net Breast Lesion Localisation Study. Bromley HL et al. Int J Surg Protoc. 25(1). 2021.

-Impalpable breast lesion localisation, a logistical challenge: Results of the UK iBRA-NET National practice questionnaire. Somasundaram S et al. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 185, 13-20 (2021).

-The IBRANET localisation study; a national multi-centre prospective cohort study of wire- and magseed-guided localisation for impalpable breast lesions. Dave R et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 46(6). June 2020.

-The iBRANET localisation study; A National cohort study of wire-guided and Magseed-guided localisation for impalpable breast lesions. Dave R et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 47(5). May 2021.

-Safety and feasibility of breast lesion localization using magnetic seeds (Magseed): a multi-centre, open-label cohort study. Harvey JR et al. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Jun 2018.

-Is the future magnetic? Magseed localisation for non palpable breast cancer. A multi-centre non randomised control study. Zacharioudakis K et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. Jun 2019.

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Shared learning event (iBRA NET localisation study)

Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham

2018

MAP-BRA Mesh sAfety Platform for implant based BReAst reconstruction study

Julia Henderson, Royal Liverpool University Hospital,   MAP-BRA      

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

Presentations (oral or poster)

-MAP BRA; Progress and how to get involved

Presented at the 2019 iBRA NET update meeting, Birmingham

2018

Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectroscopy for Oncological Margin Control in Breast Conserving Surgery – developing the diagnostic accuracy of the Intelligent Knife

Daniel Leff, Imperial College London   

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry of electrosurgical vapours for the identification of breast pathology: towards an intelligent knife for breast cancer surgery. St. John ER et al. Breast Cancer Research 19(1), May 2017.

-Reducing the margins of error during breast-conserving surgery: disruptive technologies or traditional disruptions? Leff D et al. JAMA Surg. Jun 2017.

-Diagnostic Accuracy of Intraoperative Techniques for Margin Assessment in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Meta-analysis. St. John ER et al. Annals of Surgery. Feb 2017.

-Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry of surgical vapours towards an intelligent knife for precision surgery. St. John ER et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 43(5). May 2017.

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Classification of Ex-vivo Breast Tissue using Rapid Evaporative Mass Spectrometry, Progress Towards an Intelligent Knife for Oncological Margin Assessment

Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2017

Further grants/prizes

- Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry for Examination of Circumferential Resection Margins (REI-EXCISE Trial). Grant awarded from Clinical Research Committee (CRC); (previously CTAA), Cancer Research UK. Grant total £108, 018.18. 

-Sir Patrick Forrest Prize, the British Breast Group, 2018

2018

Informing best practice in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: Further analysis of the iBRA study cohort

Shelley Potter, University of Bristol 

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy in patients that have had a previous breast augmentation: lessons from the national multicentre iBRA study. Baker B et al. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 22 Mar 2021

-Patient-reported outcomes of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with and without biological or synthetic mesh. Sewart et al. BJS Open. 5(1). Jan 2021.

-Short-term safety outcomes of mastectomy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with and without mesh (iBRA): a multicentre, prospective cohort study. Potter S et al. The Lancet Oncology. Jan 2019.

-Adherence to best practice consensus guidelines for implant-based breast reconstruction: Results from the iBRA National Practice Questionnaire Survey. Mylvaganam S et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. May 2018.

-Variation in the provision and practice of implant-based breast reconstruction in the UK: Results from the iBRA National Practice Questionnaire. Mylvaganam S et al. The Breast. Oct 2017.

-The iBRA (implant breast reconstruction evaluation) study: protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to inform the feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic randomised clinical trial comparing new techniques of implant-based breast reconstruction. Potter S et al. Pilot and feasibility studies. Aug 2016.

Presentations (oral or poster)

-iBRA – 18 months PROMS in national audit of implant reconstruction in relation to radiotherapy

Presented at the 2017 Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery (ORBS) meeting, Nottingham

-The iBRA and & iBRA2 studies

Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2018

-The iBRA study

Presented at the Mammary Fold Academic and Research day 2017

-The iBRA Study - A national multicentre prospective cohort study of the outcomes of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction

Presented at the 2017 RSTN trials day

2018

Update of PREDICT model with a modern, national UK dataset

Professor Paul D P Pharoah

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-An updated PREDICT breast cancer prognostication and treatment benefit prediction model with independent validation. Candido dos Reis FJ et al. Breast Cancer Research. May 2017

Presentations (oral or poster)

-PREDICT vs NPI

Presented at the 2020 UK Interdisciplinary Breast cancer Symposium, Birmingham

2018

The role of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing response in breast cancer

Cliona Kirwan, University of Manchester & Manchester NHS Foundation Trust               

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Breast cancer stromal clotting activation (Tissue Factor and thrombin): A pre-invasive phenomena that is prognostic in invasion. Shaker H et al. Cancer Medicine. Mar 2020.

Presentations (oral or poster)

2019

Pilot of lifestyle InterventiON to reducE brEast cancer Risk (PIONEER): a randomised study

Jennifer Rusby, The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Pilot of lifestyle InterventiON to reducE brEast cancer Risk (PIONEER): A randomised study. 

Presented at 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

2019

The ANTHEM feasibility study: Is A Novel THErapeutic mammaplasty procedure a safe and effective alternative to Mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer?

Shelley Potter, University of Bristol

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

Protocol for a mixed-method study to inform the feasibility of undertaking a large-scale multicentre study comparing the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of oncoplastic breast conservation as an alternative to mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction in women unsuitable for standard breast-conserving surgery (the ANTHEM Feasibility Study). Davies C et al. BMJ Open. 11(4). Apr 2021.

2019

Comparison of treatment allocation and outcomes of older women with operable breast cancer between England and The Netherlands

Jenna Lee Morgan, University of Sheffield

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-Predicting postoperative complications and their impact on quality of life and functional status in older patients with breast cancer. Lemij A A et al. British Journal of Surgery, July 2022

-Differences in treatment and survival of older patients with operable breast cancer between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands - A comparison of two national prospective longitudinal multi-centre cohort studies. Van der Plas-Krijgsman et al. European Journal of Cancer, March 2022

 Presentations (oral or poster)

- Predicting postoperative complications and their impact on quality of life and functional status in older patients with breast cancer

- Poster presentation at the SIOG (International Society of Geriatric Oncology) 2021 annual conference

- Differences in treatment and survival of older patients with operable breast cancer between the united kingdom and the Netherlands - a comparison of this national prospective longitudinal multi-centre cohort studies

- Poster presentation at ESSO 2022

- Presented at the 40th congress of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (2021) / SIOG (International Society of geriatric Oncology) 2021 annual conference

2019

Predicting radiation toxicity in patients undergoing oncoplastic breast surgery – the clinicians’ perspective

Tim Rattay, University of Leicester

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Therapeutic mammoplasty is associated with fewer long-term side-effects from breast radiotherapy

Presented at the 2022 ABS conference (Prize paper session, presented by Mr Arjuna Brodie)

2020

INFLUENCE Study – Indocyanine green node Fluorescence study

Vassilis Pitsinis. NHS Tayside

Presentations (oral or poster)

-Indocyanine green as an alternative to radioisotope in breast cancer sentinel node biopsy: a single centre experience during COVID19 hospital site relocation

Presented at the 2021 Association of Breast Surgery conference

2020

The MARECA Study – National Study of Management of Breast Cancer Locoregional Recurrence and Oncological Outcome

Baek Kim, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds

Publications (full manuscripts / conference paper abstracts)

-The MARECA (national study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcomes) study: National practice questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making. Morgan JL et al. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, April 2022.

Presentations (oral or poster)

-The MARECA (national study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcomes) study: National practice questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making.

Poster presentation at the 2022 ABS conference                        

‘MARECA study: results of the national practice questionnaire’

Oral presentation at the 2022 iBRA-NET & MFC research meeting

2021

Multimodal Augmented Reality for Operative Guidance in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery (MAROG – OBS)

Michael Boland, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

2021

Local Recurrence After Breast Conservation (LRAB) Study

Sarah Tang, St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

2021

Ethnicity and Breast Cancer in the UK

Toral Gathani, University of Oxford

2022

Promoting an anti-cancer tumour microenvironment in early breast cancer patients using the Factor X inhibitor Rivaroxaban

Professor Cliona Kirwan

2022

A novel model of the promotion of breast health and screening in Western Kenya; harnessing the lived experience of the ‘Survivor Group’

Mr Rajiv Dave & Ms Bahaty Riogi