Research priorities for cancers of the oesophagus and stomach: recommendations from a UK and Ireland patient and healthcare professional partnership exercise
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Christopher M Jones Wee Han Ng Laura Tincknell Dylan P McClurg Emily Adam Pradeep Bhandari Karen Campbell Pinkie Chambers Francesca Ciccarelli Helen G Coleman Tom Crosby Carmel Doyle Jason M Dunn Jessie Elliott Rebecca C Fitzgerald Kieran G Foley Vicky Goh Heike I Grabsch Trevor A Graham Mike Grocott Sarah Gwynne Jo Harvey Marnix Jansen Pernilla Lagergren Claire Lamb Lauren Leigh-Doyle Farida Malik Catriona Mayland Mimi McCord Alan Moss Somnath Mukherjee Russell Petty Siddharth Rananaware Joanne Reid Gregory Rubin Elizabeth Smyth Nigel J Trudgill Richard C Turkington Timothy J Underwood Fiona M Walter Jessica Williams Christopher J Peters
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancers of the oesophagus and stomach are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Research is crucial to improving outcomes. However, to maximise value and impact, areas of focus should be prioritised in partnership with patients. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a comprehensive analysis of UK and Ireland patient and healthcare professional (HCP) priorities for research into oesophagogastric cancers across the domains of prevention, diagnosis and staging, treatment, palliative care and survivorship. DESIGN: A scoping exercise sourced research questions from patients and HCPs. These were consolidated and then confirmed by systematic review to represent a true research uncertainty. Research questions were scored on potential impact by an interdisciplinary group of HCPs and prioritised using a weighting derived from a patient survey. RESULTS: There were 835 (395 HCP, 440 patient) respondents to the scoping (n=455) and prioritisation (n=380) surveys. Across these, 4295 suggested research uncertainties were consolidated to 92 uncertainties that were prioritised. HCP respondents represented 25 professional groups from community and hospital settings. Patient weighting changed 22.2-46.3% of priority rankings established by HCPs. All domains were represented by the 20 highest priority questions, 5 of which focused on personalising and optimally combining treatment modalities. Two other key themes related to optimising nutrition and improving quality of life during and after treatment, including in patients not cured of their cancer. CONCLUSION: This work highlights the impact of patient input on HCP-ranked research priorities and provides a robust list of priorities to guide funders, policymakers and researchers to support and undertake impactful research.
Journal details
Journal
Gut
Volume
74
Issue number
12
Pages
1949-1961
Available online
Publication date
Full text links
Publisher website (DOI)
10.1136/gutjnl-2025-336421
Europe PubMed Central
40947137
Pubmed
40947137
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