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• Trial Name: ASCENT-05

  Patient Profile: Patients with HER2-positive breast Cancer

  Purpose: A randomised, open-label, phase III study of adjuvant Sacituzumab Govitecan and Pembrolizumab versus treatment of physicians’ choice in patients with triple negative breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after surgery and neoadjuvant therapy

  PI: Dr Greg Korpanty

• Trial Name: CLL Fantom 6

  Study Purpose: Exploring the landscape of non-coding RNA in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

  UHL PI: Professor Ruth Clifford

  UL PI: Dr Elizabeth Ryan

• Trial Name: Assessment of tx response in ABC subtype DLBCL

  Study Purpose: Improving outcomes and quality of life for patients is a priority in blood cancer research. There is a lot of variability in how patients with DLBCL respond to treatment, and this can be difficult to predict in current clinical practice. The standard of care for patients with DLBCL is a monoclonal antibody in combination with chemotherapy, known as R-CHOP. Earlier identification of patients not responding to this treatment could facilitate earlier consideration for alternative treatments through clinical trials. It could also improve patient outcomes by reducing unnecessary treatment-related toxicity.

  UHL PI: Professor Ruth Clifford

  UL PI: Dr Elizabeth Ryan

• Trial Name: A comprehensive geriatric assessment in patients with a diagnosis of CLL or Prostate CA; a prospective cohort study of clinical and process outcomes

  Study Purpose: Comprehensive geriatric assessment in patients with a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or prostate cancer: a prospective cohort study of clinical and process outcomes

As part of Research Week 2025, the LDCRC played a key role in several events throughout the exciting week. On Monday, April 28th, Dr. Jeremiah Stanley from Professor Paul Murray’s lab presented at the event titled Beyond Happiness: Serotonin as an Influencer of Cancers. During his talk, Dr. Stanley shared findings from research conducted in the Bernal Biolabs ��ɫ��Ƶ, highlighting serotonin’s role in viral and cancer pathogenesis, as well as its impact on anti-tumour immune responses. 

On Tuesday, 29th April 2025, the LDCRC proudly hosted the Symposium on Integrated Cancer Medicine: Technologies, Imaging and AI, Redefining Cancer Research and Care. The event brought together leading clinicians, researchers, and students to share insights into the evolving landscape of cancer research, with a strong focus on breast and blood cancers.

The event featured keynote speaker Professor Donald McDonnell, Glaxo Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University School of Medicine, North Carolina, USA. Professor McDonnell delivered a thought-provoking address on The Evolution of Endocrine Therapies for Breast Cancer, setting the tone for a day of cutting-edge discussion. Further details on the research by Professor McDonnell’s lab can be found

The symposium featured two major research sessions—Solid Tumour Cancer Research and Haematological Cancer Research—and highlighted the interdisciplinary and cross-faculty work being done across the ��ɫ��Ƶ and University Hospital Limerick. Presentations ranged from CRISPR-based modelling in resistant tumours to real-world perspectives on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

This dynamic event not only celebrated ongoing collaborations between clinical and academic teams but also emphasised the vital role of students in advancing cancer research.

Research Week 2025 showcased the amazing research that is taking place throughout UL 2025 saw a record number of attendees and the endless possibilities for innovative research. The full schedule of events that were shown throughout the week can be found here

The final event showcasing LDCRC involvement in Research Week 2025 was the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition for postgraduate researchers (PGRs). Kelsi Gallati, a first-year PhD student under the supervision of Dr Amira Mahdi, advanced to the university-wide final. Her compelling presentation, titled "Re-thinking weed-wacking: Overcoming ER+ breast cancer therapy resistance", highlighted innovative approaches to tackling therapeutic resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Kelsi’s final presentation can be viewed

EmmaJude Lyons from the School of Architecture and Product Design was awarded third place in the Science and Engineering Faculty 3-minute Thesis heat. Emma Jude presented her PhD work on “Bespoke Breast Prosthesis for Women Postmastectomy” and is supervised by LDCRC PI, Professor Leonard O’Sullivan, and is sponsored by Breakthrough Cancer Research and the Irish Research Council.

EmmaJude also competed in the Grand Final ��ɫ��Ƶ 3-minute Thesis competition on the 1^st of May 2025. EmmaJude was awarded first place overall in the final and can be viewed

You can watch our Research Week 2024 video .

Professor Emmanuel Boucrot lab in UCL and LDCRC PI Professor Kieran McGourty lab in UL,  collaboratively led a research study that showed the involvement in the study that showed how laminin-111 directly mediates long-term survival of quiescent cells. 

This study highlights some key insights:

• Laminin is a signaling molecule directly influencing cell phenotype - not just a passive structural component or surface.

• This laminin-driven mechanism may help explain how dormant adult stem cells can survive for years in low-growth environments and resist apoptotic challenges, including those from chemotherapy.

The full report from this exciting study can be found

On 29th May 2025, the LDCRC hosted a focused workshop centred on addressing challenges associated with the Limerick organ-on-a-chip system. 

The event featured a roundtable discussion where attendees shared insights from their ongoing work, particularly in the culture of cancer cells. The collaborative session highlighted both current obstacles and emerging opportunities for innovation in the development and application of organ-on-a-chip technologies.

On 8th November 2024, as part of the prestigious 47th Millin Lecture, Ms Christina Fleming FRCSI, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at ��ɫ��Ƶ Hospital Group gave a lecture on the integration of new technologies in surgical training.