{"id":1501,"date":"2023-01-18T12:34:06","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T12:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/rapid-rt\/?page_id=1501"},"modified":"2025-10-07T11:22:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T10:22:05","slug":"about-rapid-rt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/rapid-rt\/about-rapid-rt\/","title":{"rendered":"About RAPID-RT"},"content":{"rendered":"

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ specialty=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Left Nav Sidebar” area=”et_pb_widget_area_1″ show_border=”off” module_id=”left-nav-menu” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ remove_border=”on”]<\/p>\n

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About RAPID-RT<\/h1>\n

Project background<\/h2>\n

RAPID-RT was developed after we discovered that exposure of the top of the heart to radiation during radiotherapy for lung cancer may be linked to patients having a shorter life expectancy.<\/p>\n

Based on this result and similar observations at other cancer centres, the clinical team at The Christie decided to change the way radiotherapy is delivered to lung tumours.<\/p>\n

In early 2023, the clinical team introduced a limit on the amount of radiation that is allowed to pass through the heart on its way to the tumour. They think this will increase the percentage of patients treated with radiotherapy who are still alive one year after their treatment.<\/p>\n

What we’re doing now<\/h2>\n

The RAPID-RT team is developing a way of testing the effect of this change to how lung radiotherapy is delivered.<\/p>\n

We are using anonymised data, from as many patients as possible, to test a new method to see whether patient survival has increased as a result of the lower radiation dose to the heart. We also want to know whether the side effects patients experience have changed.<\/p>\n

The data we will use are the same data as are collected during the routine appointments patients have at The Christie. The only difference is that it will be made anonymous before researchers are allowed to access it. We will allow patients to choose whether or not to include their data in this study using an ‘opt out’ approach.<\/p>\n

We think this method, which is called ‘rapid learning’, will let us quickly measure the effect of introducing a heart dose limit by allowing us to compare patients who were treated before the introduction of the limit with those who were treated afterwards.<\/p>\n

In the future, if the clinical team decides to make any further changes to how radiotherapy is given, the effects of these additional changes can also be measured.<\/p>\n

Alongside this, we will be asking patients, clinicians, and the public about their views on whether rapid learning is an acceptable way of collecting evidence on the effect of a change to radiotherapy protocols.<\/p>\n

We will also be asking patients and clinicians about their experiences with the study’s opt-out approach. Finally, we will explore the economic impact and its effect on capacity at radiotherapy centres.<\/p>\n

Learn about the work packages that make up the RAPID-RT project.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/rapid-rt\/work-packages\/” button_text=”Our work packages” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: Project timeline” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

Project timeline<\/h2>\n

RAPID-RT is a five-year programme that began in February 2022. The project is taking place over five phases.<\/p>\n

1. February 2022 – December 2022<\/h3>\n

Completion of patient and public engagement activities to design the RAPID-RT data study.<\/p>\n

The research team will use this feedback to submit an application to the Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and Health Research Authority (HRA), to run the RAPID-RT data study to collect routine data on patients with lung cancer receiving radiotherapy as part of their treatment pathway.<\/p>\n

2. January 2023 \u2013 December 2023<\/h3>\n

In spring 2023, the clinical team at The Christie introduced a change to standard of care radiotherapy practices for patients with lung cancer, to reduce the radiation dose to the heart.<\/p>\n

Recruitment to the RAPID-RT data study began in April 2023, recruiting patients receiving this new radiotherapy treatment. These patients have been asked whether it is ok to include their data in the RAPID-RT data study to see whether the change in radiotherapy practice is improving patient survival.<\/p>\n

We have also began to interview patients, their supporters and the clinical team to ask them whether they think using opt-out processes for asking patients to include their data in the study is ok.<\/p>\n

Using this patient data the RAPID-RT research team have developed a rapid-learning method to see whether the change in radiotherapy is improving patient outcomes including survival.<\/p>\n

We have also completed interviews with healthcare professionals from different backgrounds and NHS centres to understand the current views around using patient data and consent, the proposed method for analysing data, and any hurdles that could be faced when using this method in the clinic.<\/p>\n

3. January 2024 \u2013 December 2024<\/h3>\n

Early results from the RAPID-RT data study will be presented to the clinical team and used alongside evidence from other studies to see if further modifications to the standard of care radiotherapy practice are required.<\/p>\n

Interviews with members of The Christie team will look at the practical experience of data collection and analysis to improve all aspects of the rapid learning process.<\/p>\n

Focus groups with patients, the public, healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies will be used to help shape the final citizens\u2019 jury.<\/p>\n

The developed rapid-learning methodology will also be applied to data collected from historical clinical studies to test the method in different patient groups.<\/p>\n

4. January 2025 \u2013 December 2025<\/h3>\n

A three-day citizens\u2019 jury to obtain the views of patients and members of the public about the use of the rapid-learning method in the clinic to assess the impact of changes to radiotherapy and other cancer treatments for future patients.<\/p>\n

5. January 2026 \u2013 January 2027<\/h3>\n

Results of the study will be disseminated to reach a consensus position on how and when rapid learning should be used in NHS radiotherapy centres and beyond.<\/p>\n

Guidelines on legal, ethical and implementation of rapid learning will be published together and the developed statistical methods will be made open source.<\/p>\n

The cost-effectiveness of rapid learning within the NHS will also be reported.<\/p>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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Find Us<\/h4>\n

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The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

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Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

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