Prof Andrew Renehan, Dr Matthew Sperrin, Prof I Buchan
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Background: Our research group has been a world leader establishing that elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased incidence of several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The current challenge is to establish whether elevated BMI at the time of cancer diagnosis adversely impacts upon survival. Studies suggest that increased peri-diagnosis BMI is associated with poorer survival but these
studies are difficult to interpret because of the many biases and confounding.
We have successfully argued that the preferred evaluation of these questions is secondary analysis of trial data, and with funding from World Cancer Research Fund, we are establishing (commenced June 2017) a consortium of >25 completed trials (> 12,000 patients) in CRC adjuvant chemotherapy.
Aims: The present PhD proposal will ‘piggy-back’ onto a Manchester-based individual participant data (IPD) consortium of trial data in CRC adjuvant chemotherapy trials - the OCTOPUS project (PROSPERO registration: CRD42017073699).
A clinical PhD student will develop a mediation causal inference model that assesses the direct effect of excess BMI (at cancer diagnosis) on survival accounting for the indirect effect of BMI through chemotherapy treatment (dose-capping; reduced adherence and toxicity).
As a novel methodology, the student will perform an IPD meta-analysis of the outputted effects.
Study design: By PhD commencement (Oct 2018), the consortium data will be available. There will then be four work streams (WSs): (i) First, characterize the effect of BMI on adjuvant chemotherapy dose reduction and anticipated reduced adherence (WS1); ii) Characterize the effect of BMI on chemotherapy-related toxicity (WS2); (iii) Build the mediation models at a trial level (WS3); and finally, undertake an IPD meta- analysis across several trials (WS4).
Impact: This thesis will deliver significant new contributions to two key MCRC/BRC horizontal themes of prevention with obesity as a key subject and personalised cancer medicine; and cross-cut with bio- informatics.
For more information about this PhD scheme please visit http://www.crukcentre.manchester.ac.uk/Training/PhD-Training-Scheme
All applicants must:
• hold a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in relevant subject
• be post-registration clinicians and ideally have a specialist training post;
• have been resident and worked within the EEA (European Economic Area) for at least three years prior to application
Funding Notes
The Fellowships are usually tenable for three years, although in certain circumstances they may extend to four years duration. We will provide running expenses, an appropriate salary in line with the applicant’s current salary and grade and full coverage of University PhD fees.
Candidates whose nationality is outside the UK/EU will be awarded a contribution towards their fees equivalent to the amount awarded to home/EU students. Funding for the remaining fees will need to be identified in order to progress your application (the shortfall will be £15,879 per annum).
To apply please visit http://www.crukcentre.manchester.ac.uk/Training/PhD-Training-Scheme/Application-Process-and-Important-Dates
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