The PRIMROSE Studies 

Make 2nds Count is delighted to support the PRIMROSE CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid) study, sponsored by the University of Liverpool and led by Prof Carlo Palmieri.

This project sits alongside the PRIMROSE Tissue study and both aim to collect data from patients with breast cancer that has spread to the brain (brain metastases or brain mets), in order to better understand this disease. 

Cancer that has spread to the brain is a growing problem among patients living with metastatic breast cancer, particularly for patients with triple negative and HER2-positive disease. Patients are living longer with metastatic disease due to new targeted treatments, but this also appears to be contributing to the increase in the incidence of brain mets amongst those patients. 

The PRIMROSE CSF study is funded by Daiichi Sankyo GmBH Europe, North West Cancer Research and Make 2nds Count. Both studies are actively recruiting and you can find out more below.

PRIMROSE CSF Study

The PRIMROSE CSF study is being done by doctors, nurses and surgeons. The study intends to collect and study CSF to understand more about cancer cells that spread to the brain (so called Leptomeningeal Disease or Brain Metastases). 

Make 2nds Count is partially funding this study. 

What is Cerebrospinal Fluid? 

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is fluid that surrounds your brain and is found around your spinal cord. This fluid can be collected and tested.  

Can I take part? 

You may be able to take part if you are 16 years or over AND have been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to the brain. 

What does the study involve?

If you agree to take part, you will be asked to undergo a procedure to collect CSF which will be in addition to your routine care provision. Once you have entered the study, the process is as follows:

  • A suitable date and time for CSF collection will be scheduled by your clinical team. 
  • During the procedure, blood and CSF samples will be collected from you. Usually patients are discharged the same day. 
  • After a month, you will be contacted (via phone or in person) to record your experiences of the procedure.
  • Some patients may be asked to undergo a second CSF collection depending on health status, this is not compulsory. 

Your consultant will need to send a referral letter detailing that you are interested in taking part in this study to primrose@liverpool.ac.uk - after this the research team will contact you over the phone. You can also email primrose@liverpool.ac.uk if you have further questions about the research study.

Collaborating centres for CSF collection:

  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool
  • Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre
  • The Christie, Manchester
  • Salford Royal Hospital
  • Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham
  • Whittington Hospital, London

Find out more about the PRIMROSE CSF study and being involved in the research HERE

PRIMROSE Tissue Study

The PRIMROSE Tissue Study intends to collect and study tissue from patients who have breast cancer that has spread to the brain (so called Leptomeningeal Disease or Brain Metastases). We would like to understand more about these cancer cells that spread to the brain to better understand treatment options. 

Can I take part?

You may be able to take part if you are 16 years or over AND have been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to the brain. 

What does the study involve?

If you agree to take part, you will be asked to provide consent for the research team to collect samples from your care team. The research team will only collect samples which are in storage by your care team or samples which are due to be collected as part of your clinical care. This will/may include:

  1. Pre-collected Tissue: breast cancer tissue, non-brain metastasis tissue, and brain metastasis tissue. 
  2. Blood and Cerebrospinal fluid samples 

This study does not require you to have any additional procedures or visits. Additional samples do not need to be collected.   

Your consultant will need to send a referral letter detailing that you are interested in taking part in this study to primrose@liverpool.ac.uk - after this the research team will contact you over the phone. You can also email primrose@liverpool.ac.uk if you have further questions about the research study.

Recruiting locations for the PRIMROSE Tissue Study:

  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool
  • Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire
  • The Walton Centre, Liverpool
  • Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
  • Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire
  • Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
  • University Hospital Southampton
  • Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford
  • The Christie, Manchester
  • Bedford Hospital
  • Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
  • Royal Preston Hospital 

Find out more about the PRIMROSE Tissue study and being involved in the research HERE