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CHEMOBRAIN - Health Volunteer Sub-Study - IHKB Study
Safe People
Organisation name
Imperial College London
Organisation sector
Academic Institute
Applicant name(s)
Laura Kenny
Funders/ Sponsors
Clinical Sponsor is not required
DEA accredited researcher?
Unknown
Sub-licence arrangements (if any)?
Yes
Safe Projects
Project ID
NIBDAPC_2025_0048
Lay summary
‘Chemobrain’ is a common but poorly understood side effect of chemotherapy for many cancer patients. The term is used to describe a collection of signs and symptoms including difficulties with concentration, multi-tasking, recalling words/conversations and confusion. Chemobrain occurs in approximately 50% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Whilst some patients recover, many are left with permanent memory problems affecting their quality of life. Studies of women with breast cancer have shown that chemotherapy may cause changes within the brain. However, the processes at play that are causing these changes are unclear. The CHEMOBRAIN study aims to examine the impact of chemotherapy on the cognitive function of 500 female UK breast cancer patients that have been/are due to be treated with anthracycline chemotherapy (e.g. Doxorubicin & Epirubicin) and/or taxane-based chemotherapy (e.g. Docetaxel & Paclitaxel) in order to understand the processes which may cause changes in the brain. We also hope to detect any sign of memory problems as soon as they appear and be able to refer any volunteers demonstrating cognitive impairment to a specialist. We hope that this information will help us to develop effective preventative treatments in the future. These patients will be invited to complete 3-monthly online memory tests for up to 12 months. In order to quantify these cognitive changes effectively, it is very important for us to compare the scores generated by our breast cancer patients with those produced by a healthy control group. Therefore we are also asking healthy volunteers to take part in a CHEMOBRAIN sub-study: if they are over 18 years of age, without a current or previous diagnosis of cancer and without a formal diagnosis of an existing memory problem/medical condition that may have an influence on memory later in life. Healthy volunteers participating in our CHEMOBRAIN sub-study, will also be invited to complete a set of online memory tests. The tests are designed to assess an array of cognitive abilities including recall, executive function, verbal fluency, memory, concentration, and global cognitive function. The tests are compatible with a tablet, PC or laptop. Following completion of the online memory tests, we may invite them to attend Hammersmith Hospital for an optional in-person memory assessment and blood sample collection.
Public benefit statement
We hope that by conducting this study we can learn more about the changes that occur within the brains of women with breast cancer undergoing treatment with anthracycline (e.g. Doxorubicin & Epirubicin) and/or taxane-based (e.g. Docetaxel & Paclitaxel) chemotherapy in the UK. We also hope to detect any sign of memory problems as soon as they appear and be able to refer any volunteers demonstrating cognitive impairment to a specialist. We hope that this information will help us to develop effective preventative treatments in the future.
Request category type
Public Health Research
Other approval committees
Latest approval date
16/07/2025
Safe Data
Dataset(s) name
N/A - this is a consent to contact IHKB study; no data is being made available
Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
Not applicable
National data opt-out applied?
Not applicable
Request frequency
One-off
Safe Setting
Access type
TRE