Press
23rd November 2023: As part of the NIHR's Shape the Future campaign, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have been highlighting the work of our StarMS team member Gavin Brittain. Click here to see the Twitter post, or read the article below!
"Research is central to improving patient care. For today’s NIHR Shape the Future campaign we’re highlighting the work and career of Gavin Brittain, a Clinical Research Fellow and Speciality Neurology Registrar." - Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
“I’m involved in developing tools to monitor patients with multiple sclerosis in several clinical trials. One of these is the StarMS trial which is reviewing the effectiveness of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with the aim that in future we can intervene much earlier, with better treatments, to reduce the long-term effect of conditions like multiple sclerosis on patients.
I initially became involved in assisting and assessing patients for several clinical trials before later starting a PhD in mobility monitoring in multiple sclerosis (part of the Mobilise-D project). Here I developed my knowledge of research delivery and as a principal investigator on StarMS (a world-first trial which could see MS stem cell transplantation offered as a first line treatment instead of when all others have failed) I benefited from the support offered by the Sheffield National Insitute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre. With the skills I've gained, I'm now responsible for an exciting small Sheffield Hospitals Charity funded study in patients with MS undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Through research, I've started to develop the skills of how to both participate and lead research and ensure this is impactful and relevant to patients. Research can be an exciting and collaborative experience, but my key message if you want to get involved is an experienced and knowledgeable supervisor is crucial to help you with the inevitable unknowns along the way! " - Gavin Brittain
7th September 2023: Read about the StarMS Trial at University Hospital Southampton here. A special mention must go to our wonderful team at the site: Professor Kim Orchard - Principal Investigator and Consultant Haematologist, Professor Ian Galea - Consultant Neurologist, Clare Hutchison - Lead Research Nurse, and all the other staff involved in running the trial. We couldn't do it without you!
10th July 2023: Many thanks to the The Star for including an article about the National Institute for Health and Care Research/British Society for Haematology Researcher of the Year Award given to Professor John Snowdon.
10th July 2023: Professor John Snowdon talks about his National Institute for Health and Care Research/British Society for Haematology Researcher of the Year Award, Multiple Sclerosis, aHSCT, the MIST trial and StarMS with Howie Pressman on BBC Sheffield. Have a listen here (interview starts at 1:50).
7th July 2023: Our Chief Investigator Professor John Snowdon has been recognised with a National Institute for Health and Care Research/British Society for Haematology Researcher of the Year Award. Congratulations!! Article written by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals here.
17th February 2023: Click here to listen to Dr Gavin Brittain discussing the StarMS Trial on BBC Radio Sheffield.
25th January 2023: Click here to read an article about the 3rd International Stem Cell Symposium on Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis, Stem Cell Transplantation and StarMS in Medscape UK.
24th January 2023: Click here to read an article in the Yorkshire Post about stem cell transplantation featuring Colette Edwards, our StarMS Patient and Public Involvement Representative. Thanks Colette for sharing your experience!
24th January 2023: StarMS Investigators Professor John Snowden, Professor Basil Sharrack, Professor Paolo Muraro and Colette Edwards attended the 3rd International Stem Cell Symposium on Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis. Click here to read the STH article.
21st December 2022: Click here, or on the picture below for an article in Grenada Reports about how stem cell transplantation can have a life-changing effect on an MS patient, and the important research being carried out by the StarMS trial.
20th December 2022: Click here to read an article in The Telegraph. Thank you to Colette Edwards, our StarMS Patient and Public Involvement Representative for giving an interview about her experience with aHSCT (autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant).
2nd December 2022: Thank you to our Funder for including an update on their website about the trial. Click here to read the article from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
29th November 2022: Click here to read an article about the trial in the Evening Standard.
29th November 2022: Click here, or on the link below to watch a clip from BBC Look North (Yorkshire) titled MS stem cell trial could revolutionise care for patients with 'aggressive' MS, shown on Tuesday 29th October 2022. We would like to thank BBC Look North for allowing the StarMS website to share this article.
29th November 2022: Click here to read a press article from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
29th November 2022: Click here to read an article in the Independent.
29th November 2022: Click here to read an article about the trial in the Mirror.
31st October 2022: Click here to read about the trial from the MS Society.