Department of Oncology

 

Information about Research Group Leaders in Oncology

Dr. Helena Earl


Departmental title: Reader in Clinical Cancer Medicine.

University Department(s): Oncology.

Other Affiliation(s): Addenbrooke's Oncology Centre.

Department of Oncology position(s) held: Reader in Clinical Cancer Medicine; Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist; Senior Research Group Leader at R4 Block, Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Other position(s) held: None.

Contact:

  • Postal address: The Oncology Centre, Box 193, R4 Block, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2.
  • Email: hme22@cam.ac.uk
  • PA: Sue Shadbolt; Tel. 01223 336800 ; email: sms49@cam.ac.uk

Other relevant links:



Prospective Students

Applicants for graduate courses (PhD and MPhil):

  • Please contact me to discuss whether I am able to offer you a project BEFORE you submit your online GRADSAF application form for admission to the University. 
  • If I am able to offer you a position, you should then make your online GRADSAF application to the Department of Oncology and state my name in section A(12) of the form.


Research

Title: Clinical and Translational Research in Breast and Gynaecological Cancers with the Aim of Individualising Cancer Treatments for Patients.

Overview & further information:

Our research is focussed on clinical and translational aspects of breast and gynaecological cancers with the ultimate aim of developing individualised cancer treatments for our patients.

Areas:


Group members

Clinical Fellows:

  • Dr Jean Abraham - PhD awarded 2010 (co-Supervisor with Carlos Caldas, Paul Pharoah, Alison Dunning). Now locum consultant / post-doctoral level on NIHR FSF funding Sept 2011-12.
  • Dr Bristi Basu – Academic Consultant in Experimental Cancer Medicine, CR-UK funded, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge (mentorship).
  • Dr Mahesh Iddawela - Awarded PhD 2011 (co-Supervisor with Carlos Caldas). Appointed Associate Professor, Consultant in Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne Australia, January 2012.
  • Dr Christine Parkinson - Clinical Lecturer University of Cambridge Clinical School, within Intergrated Academic Training Pathways (IATP) National Scheme (co-supervisor with James Brenton). Now appointed locum consultant in Medical Oncology Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, October 2011.

Research Nurses in Cambridge Cancer Clinical Trials Centre:

  • Linda Bavister - West Anglia Cancer Network Research Nurse; Breast Cancer (2008-2010).
  • Ilene Cannon - Translational research nurse (breast) on ARTemis; neoadjuvant breast cancer trial (2009-).
  • Sarah Hilborne - Translational research nurse (breast) on Neo-tAnGo and MONET; neoadjuvant breast cancer studies (2004-8).
  • Emily Barker (Hind) - West Anglia Cancer Network Research Nurse; Breast cancer and gynae (2008-2011).
  • Charlotte Hodgkin - NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Translational Research Nurse; Gynaecological Cancers (2008-).
  • Sue Ingle - Translational research nurse (breast) on PG-SNPs study (2005-8).
  • Debbie Pitfield - Rare cancers West Anglia Cancer Network Research Nurse for Sarcomas (2008-2010).
  • Sue Bailey - Rare cancers West Anglia Cancer Network Research Nurse for Sarcomas (2011).

Trial Co-ordinators and Data Managers:

  • Russell Burns - Trial co-ordinator Breast Cancer Trials, Clinical and Translational MONET and ARTiST (2006-2011).
  • Louise Grybowicz - Trial co-ordinator Breast Cancer Trials, Clinical and Translational ARTemis (2009-).
  • Heike Templin - Translational data manager Persephone, Neo-tAnGo, ARTiST and ARTemis (2009-2011).
  • Anne-Laure Vallier - Senior Trials Co-ordinator and Senior Project Manager for Cambridge Breast Cancer Research (2004 -).

University of Warwick:

  • Caroline Jevons - Recruitment Officer PERSEPHONE Trial.
  • Shrushma Loi - Trial co-ordinator PERSEPHONE Trial.
  • Ketan Pujara - Trial co-ordinator ARTemis Trial.
  • Jaz Sandhu - Trial co-ordinator PERSEPHONE Trial.
  • Claire Blenkinsop – trial co-ordinator ARTemis Trial.

Administration:

  • Sue Shadbolt - Grant Administration for Clinical Research Studies.

Main collaborators

Department of Oncology:

  • Dr James Brenton - Gynaecological Cancers.
  • Professor Carlos Caldas - Breast Cancer.
  • Dr Helen Hatcher - Sarcoma and Teenage & Young Adult Cancers.
  • Dr Paul Pharoah - Cancer Genomics.
  • Dr Evis Sala - Imaging in Research.

National collaborators:

  • University of Birmingham - Professor Philip Johnson (Clinical Trials), Dr Daniel Rea (Senior Lecturer in Medical Oncology), Ms Adele Francis (Breast Surgeon) and Dr Sarah Bowden.
  • University of Leeds - Professor Chris McCabe (Health Economics).
  • University of Warwick - Professor Janet Dunn (Clinical Trials), Professor Chris Poole, Dr Louise Hiller, Dr Andrea Marshall.

International collaborators:

  • Professor PieroFranco Conte - University of Modena, Italy - Herceptin Duration Trials Group.
  • Dr Xavier Pivot - PHARE Trial and INCa, France.

Funding bodies

  • tAnGo- Science: Molecular determinants of outcome in breast cancer patients treated with a taxane/anthracycline +/- gemcitabine-containing adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Cancer Research UK TRICC Project Grant. Ref No: C507/A6783. (Co-applicant) October 2005-2008 - (£142,201).
  • Neo-tAnGo (Neoadjuvant tAnGo): A phase III neoadjuvant study of sequential epirubicin / cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel ± gemcitabine, standard or dose-dense, in the treatment of poor risk early breast cancer, with prospective molecular profiling. A National Multi-centre Study a collaboration between Cambridge Translational Cancer Research and Cancer Research UK Trials Unit, Birmingham. Chief Investigator and Lead Applicant. Cancer Research UK Project Grant: Ref No: C57/A4180. 2004-2009 - (£342,402). Additional unrestricted educational grants from Lilly, and free paclitaxel supply from Bristol Myers Squibb.
  • PG-SNPs: The Pharmacogenetics of Early Breast Cancer in clinical trials NEAT, tAnGo, and Neo-tAnGo with Pharmaco-kinetics in Neo-tAnGo patients. Cancer Research UK TRICC project Grant; Ref No:C507/A6306. (Co-Applicant) 2005-2009 - (£ 540,523).
  • PG-SNPs: Cancer Research UK Clinical Training Fellowship for Dr Jean Abraham, for 3 years October 2006-9: Ref No C10097/A7484 - (£144,000).
  • NEAT- Science: Analysis of Topoisomerases as predictors of benefit from anthracyline therapy in the context of the NEAT/BR9601 trials. Lead Applicant Dr John Bartlett, Cancer Research TRICC (co-applicant) October 2004. Ref No:C7602/A6321- (£99,394).
  • MONET: Prospective candidate gene analysis, and molecular profiling of breast cancers from patients in two neoadjuvant treatment trials Neo-tAnGo and MoNET: Towards individualized therapy. Addenbrookes Charities 2005, 1 year for Dr Mahesh Iddawela - (£44,000).
  • Translational Study Award, CR-UK October 2006: Sala E, et al Profiling signatures of chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer: Correlation with dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Cancer Research UK Project Grant: Ref No: C22479/A8551 - (£23,000).
  • PERSEPHONE: Adjuvant trastuzumab duration in early breast cancer: Six versus twelve months. NCC HTA Project Grant Awarded: 2007-2013. Ref No: 06/303/98. Chief Investigator and Lead Applicant - (£1,980,000).
  • Trans-PERSEPHONE and Trans–PERSEPHONE-SNPs: The pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics of adjuvant trastuzumab. Cancer Research UK TRICC Project Grant: Funding Reference Number: C507/A9675. (Co-applicant). 2008-2013 - (£218,708).
  • ARTemis: Neoadjuvant trial of Avastin and chemotherapy in early breast cancer. (November 2008) CTAAC 2009-2014 - (£480,000). Additional unrestricted educational grants from Roche and Sanofi-Aventis.
  • PET/CT Study: A Multicenter Trial to Measure Early Patterns of Change in [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake by PET/CT in Relapsed Ovarian Cancer Patients. Awarding body: Merck & Co., Inc. Role: Co-investigator (James Brenton, Evis Sala, Christine Parkinson, Ian McNeish, Helena Earl, Norbert Avril, Andrea Rockall) Dates: 2009-2011 - (£ 589,284).
  • OPTIMA prelim: Optimal Personalised Treatment of breast cancer usIng Multi-parameter Analysis: preliminary study. Full application to the NIHR – HTA for Breast Cancer Biomarkers call. Funded June 2011. Co-Applicant - £3.5m. (Lead applicant-Dr Robert Stein, Institution-UCLH Lond.

Key publications

  • Earl H. Reporting of adjuvant breast cancer trials – when is the right time? Invited Editorial. J Clin Oncol.; Nov 2011. [In press].
  • Ledermann JA, Hackshaw A, Kaye S, Jayson G, Gabra H, Gore M, Adams M, Mcneish I, Perren T Earl H, Persic M, James L, Bell S, Temple G, Rustin G. On behalf of the NCRI Gynaecological Cancer Group. A randomized phase II placebo-controlled trial of maintenance therapy using BIBF 1120 following treatment for relapsed ovarian cancer. J Clin Oncol.; 1;29(28):3798-804; Oct 2011.
  • Leo AD, Desmedt C, Bartlett JM, Piette F, Ejlertsen B, Pritchard KI, Larsimont D, Poole C, Isola J, Earl H, Mouridsen H, O'Malley FP, Cardoso F, Tanner M, Munro A, Twelves CJ, Sotiriou C, Shepherd L, Cameron D, Piccart MJ, Buyse M; for the HER2/TOP2A Meta-analysis Study Group. HER2 and TOP2A as predictive markers for anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens as adjuvant treatment of breast cancer: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Lancet Oncol.; 12 Sept 2011. [Epub ahead of print].
  • Ainsworth N, Marshall A, Hatcher H, Whitehead L, Whitfield G, Earl HM. Evaluation of glomerular filtration rate estimation of renal function by Cockroft-Gault, Jelliffe, Wright and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in Oncology Patients. Annals of Oncology; Oct 2011. [In press].
  • Campbell HE, Epstein D, Bloomfield D, Griffin S, Manca A, Yarnold J, Bliss J, Johnson L, Earl H, Poole C, Hiller L, Dunn J, Hopwood P, Barrett-Lee P, Ellis P, Cameron D, Harris AL, Gray AM, Sculpher M. The cost-effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: a comparison of no chemotherapy and first, second, and third generation regimens for patients with differing prognoses. Eur J Cancer; 7 Jul 2011. [Epub ahead of print].
  • Abraham JE, Maranian MJ, Driver KE, Earl HM, Dunning AM, Pharoah PDP, Caldas C. CYP2D6 gene variants and their association with breast cancer susceptibility. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev.; 20(6):1255-8; Jun 2011.
  • Gounaris I, Britton P, Taylor K, Wallis M, Hiller L, Vallier A-L, Provenzano E, Iddawela M, Earl H, Sinnatamby R. Accuracy of uni-dimensional and volumetric measurements in predicting good pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat.; 127(2):459-69; Jun 2011.
  • Tutt A, Robson M, Garber JE, Domchek S, Audeh MW, Weitzel JN, Friedlander M, Arun B, Loman N, Schmutzler R, Wardley A, Mitchell G, Earl H, Wickens M, Carmichael J. Oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and advanced breast cancer: a proof-of-concept trial. Lancet; 376: 235-44;2010.
  • Abraham JE, Maranian MJ, Driver KE, Platte R, Kalmyrzaev B, Baynes C, Luccarini C, Shah M, Ingle S, Greenberg D, Earl HM, Dunning AM, Pharoah PDP, Caldas C. CYP2D6 gene variants: association with breast cancer specific survival in a cohort of breast cancer patients from the United Kingdom treated with adjuvant tamoxifen. Breast Cancer Research; 23;12(4):R64; Aug 2010.
  • Mansi JL, Yellowlees A, Lipscombe J, Earl HM, Cameron DA, Coleman RE, Perren T, Gallagher CJ, Quigley M, Crown J, Jones AL, Highley M, Leonard RC, Jeffry Evans TR. Five-year outcome for women randomised in a phase III trial comparing doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide with doxorubicin and docetaxel as primary medical therapy in early breast cancer: an Anglo-Celtic Cooperative Oncology Group Study. Breast Cancer Res Treat.; 122(3):787-94; Aug 2010.
  • Priest AN, Gill AB, Kataoka M, McLean MA, Joubert I, Graves MJ, Griffiths JR, Crawford RA, Earl H Brenton JD, Lomas DJ, Sala E. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in ovarian cancer: Initial experience at 3 tesla in primary and metastatic disease. Magn Reson Med.; 63(4):1044-9; Apr 2010.
  • Bartlett JMS, Munro A, Dunn JA, Jordan S, McConkey C, Twelves CJ, Cameron DA, Thomas J, Campbell F, Rea DW, Provenzano E, Pharoah P, Hiller L, Caldas C, Earl H, Poole CJ. Predictive markers of anthracycline benefit: a prospectively planned analysis of the UK National Epirubicin Adjuvant Trial (NEAT/BR9601). Lancet Oncol.; 11(3):266-74; Mar 2010 [Epub 13 Jan 2010].
  • Ismail A, Azzawi K, Farouhi P, Earl H, Malata C.M. Influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction: A retrospective comparison. Plast Reconstr Surg. 126(1):1-11; Jul 2010.
  • Sala E, Priest AN, Kataoka M, Graves MJ, McLean MA, Joubert I, Griffiths JR, Crawford RAF, Earl H, Brenton JD, Lomas DJ. Apparent diffusion coefficient and vascular signal fraction measurements with magnetic resonance imaging: feasibility in metastatic ovarian cancer at 3 Tesla. Eur Radiol; . 20(2):491-6; Feb 2010.
  • Ellis P, Barrett-Lee P, Johnson L, Wardley A, O’Reilly S, Verrill M, Smith I, Yarnold J, Coleman R, Earl H, et al for the TACT Trialists. Sequential docetaxel as adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer (TACT): an open-label, phase III, randomised controlled trial. Lancet; 373 (9676):1681-92; May 16 2009.
  • Earl HM, Hiller L , Dunn JA, et al on behalf of the NEAT Investigators. NEAT: National epirubicin adjuvant trial -toxicity, delivered dose intensity and quality of life. Br J Cancer; 99(8): 1226-31; Oct 21 2008.
  • Wardley AM, Hiller L, Howard HC, Dunn JA, Bowman A, Coleman RE, Fernando IN, Ritchie DM, Earl HM, Poole CJ, on behalf of the tAnGo trial collaborators. ‘tAnGo’ - A randomized phase III trial of gemcitabine in paclitaxel - containing, epirubicin/cyclophosphamide-based, adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer : A prospective evaluation of pulmonary, cardiac, and hepatic function. Br J Cancer; 99(4): 597-603; 2008.
  • Ahmed AA, Mills AD, Ibrahim AEK, temple J, Blenkiron C, Vias M, Massie C, Iyer NG, McGeoch, Crawford R, Nicke B, Downward J, Swanton C, Bell SD, Earl HM, Laskey RA, Caldas C, Brenton JD. The extracellular matrix protein TGFBI induces microtubule stabilization and sensitizes ovarian cancers to paclitaxel. Cancer Cell; 12: 514-527; 2007.
  • Poole CJ, Earl HM, Hiller L, et al. Epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-Fluorouracil in the Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer. NEJM; 355: 1851-62; 2006.

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