Randomized Trials

The work of MRC PHRU on randomized trials has as its main focus very large studies for the treatment and prevention of common chronic diseases. PHRU scientists have been involved in designing and running some of the world’s largest trials, and are currently working on trials in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and cancer.

In cardiovascular disease, we are coordinating the ASCEND trial to establish the effects of low-dose aspirin (and fish oil) on major vascular events among 15,000 people with diabetes who do not have any prior history of vascular disease. This study, which is led by Professor Jane Armitage, will also help to determine the effects of low-dose aspirin on cancer. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), coordinated by Dr Richard Haynes, we are running the 850 patient 3C trial of different treatments for the prevention of graft rejection in UK-based renal transplant patients (making it one of the largest ever trials in this setting), and a pilot trial among 420 kidney patients (UK-HARP-III) to assess the effects of a new antihypertensive drug on the rate of loss of kidney function.