The Centre is very proactive in clinical development and stimulating extensive research by scientists and Honorary Consultants. Health professionals and scientists are encouraged to propose research projects in association with the Centre. The team has an international reputation for innovative research which is published in numerous peer reviewed journals and conferences. If you are interested in being involved in research or proposing a project please Contact Us.

Summary of Research Activity

• Clinical research in the development of thermal lasers has treated around 2000 patents endoscopically and 800 in interoperative treatments.
• Development of Photodynamic Therapy, PDT has involved clinical studies of over 500 patients.
• First Light (phase I - see below) has been recently completed with the treatment of more than 200 patients. It investigated the identification of lung cancer in its developmental stages using fluorescence bronchoscopy. Results of this have been presented at scientific meetings and also published. Some of the results have been published in the Thorax; these show that it is possible to diagnose early stage cancers within the bronchus and to treat these with PDT.
• Ethical Committee approval has been granted for a Pilot Study into the use of PDT in cancer of the prostate. Initial work has focused on light dose and fibre placement.
• A PhD student at the University of Hull has recently completed her thesis on the use of PDT in parasitic conditions and infections. It is hoped that this will lead to further work in infection control, notably in the area of MRSA, one of the hospital acquired infections.
• The initial stage of a gynaecology project (with Ethical Committee approval) has been completed and the results published in the Journal of Photo diagnosis and Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDPDT). This involves the use of PDT in gynaecological conditions for which, formerly, the patient would have had no option other than a radical and disfiguring operation.
• General surgery is showing extremely encouraging results with the use of thermal laser in the treatment of haemorrhoids which removes the need for a painful surgical excision and is very popular with the patients on the study.

PHOTO-DETECTION: PROJECT FIRST LIGHT
The Centre has recently completed a study to evaluate a device used to detect early cancers of the lung. The research also aimed to improve the technique and to adapt it to detect early cancers of the esophagus and stomach.

The sooner a cancer is detected the earlier treatment can begin and early detection (for the majority of cancers) is the greatest factor governing the outcome of the disease. The sooner we can start fighting the disease the greater the success and the better chance of cure.

The Xillix LIFE-Lung Fluorescence Endoscopy System was the device that we used to screen people for early cancers. Patients were admitted to the study on a voluntary basis. To be eligible for the study the subject must have been considered to have a higher risk of developing lung disease, for example: people such as heavy smokers, or those with industrial exposure to asbestos and those whose close family have had cancers of the lung.

This project has now closed and the results published.

Published papers and presentations:
A document listing published papers and presentations produced by Professor Moghissi with the YLC/UKMLC team and its associates can be viewed here: