The MRC Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is a centre of excellence for clinical trials, meta-analyses and epidemiological studies.
We are committed to strengthening and expanding the evidence base for healthcare nationally and internationally.
The CTU also develops methodology to improve the design, conduct and analysis of clinical studies, and hosts one of the MRC’s eight regional Hubs for Trials Methodology Research.
The MRC CTU is a UKCRC registered trials unit.
Read more about the Unit
Earlier this year WHO published new guidelines on HIV treatment. These guidelines include ambitious recommendations about increasing the number of people eligible for treatment, and the use of expensive laboratory tests to monitor people on treatment. These new recommendations have not been accompanied by increased funds. National governments need to prioritise which recommendations to implement. The MRC CTU at UCL has published a policy brief examining this issue.
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The ICON6 trial has found that a new drug, called cediranib, improves survival among women whose ovarian cancer has come back after an initial course of chemotherapy. Taking cediranib daily during chemotherapy and afterwards for a total of up to 18 months increased overall survival by around 3 months, from 17.6 months to 20.3 months. These results were presented yesterday at the 2013 European Cancer Congress.
On 1 August the MRC Clinical Trials Unit (MRC CTU) became a University Unit at University College London (UCL). The transfer of the MRC CTU to UCL is part of a wider strategic alliance between the MRC and the university which has been agreed so that we can build on and enhance our research and open up new scientific opportunities. The transfer has also provided the impetus for UCL to form an Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, with the MRC CTU as the founding member.
The Medical Research Council celebrates its 100th birthday this year. To celebrate, the MRC CTU have produced a series of short films. They explore the role of clinical trials and the MRC CTU, and how trials are developed and carried out.
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