Tim Maughan

I lead the Clinical Research Programme at the Gray Institute, aiming to deliver a step change in the effectiveness of radiotherapy through the evaluation of novel scientific approaches derived from the Institute's scientists in hypothesis-driven clinical trials.  In addition my research aims to identify means to select patients for appropriate therapy through the use of functional imaging and biomarkers.

My research interests focus on the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and I am involved extensively at the UK level in clinical trial design and execution in gastrointestinal cancers.  FOCUS4 is a molecularly stratified, multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) design, multi-site randomised trials programme for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).  During the initial registration period, all patients are treated with standard chemotherapy and considered for a standard treatment break if they have responding or stable disease after 16 weeks of chemotherapy. During the registration period, biomarker testing will be performed on their original tumour specimens to determine which specific drug(s) may be most appropriate to test during interruption of chemotherapy after 16 weeks.  The patient will then be offered entry into a specific trial on the basis of their molecular cohort.