Onderzoeksprincipes

Patiënten staan centraal in ons onderzoek.

Female scientist looking through microscope

Designing the best clinical trials to serve patients’ needs.

Patiënten staan centraal in ons onderzoek.

Wij werken volgens een aantal principes van onderzoeksvoering die ervoor zorgen dat de wetenschappelijke integriteit bij het opzetten en beheren van studies gewaarborgd is. Deze principes hebben als doel om vooringenomenheid uit het onderzoeksproces te weren en de integriteit van de patiënten te bewaren, zowel bij samenwerking met als zonder farmaceutische of andere partners. Bovendien worden alle BIG-studies beheerd en opgevolgd door comités en beleidsmaatregelen die ervoor moeten zorgen dat de belangen van de patiënten bij elke stap van het onderzoek een centrale plek blijven innemen.

When conducting, or participating in clinical trials or research programmes under the BIG umbrella, BIG Members agree to adhere to BIG’s Principles of Research Conduct.

Onderzoek redt levens

BIG trials anticipate the future

BIG trials anticipate the future, collecting biospecimens for translational research to help us identify the treatments most suited to each individual patient. Translational research is conducted using biological samples (such as tumour tissue or blood) collected in the context of BIG trials from patients who have consented to their use, either for specific projects, or for yet undefined future research. The collected biological samples are maintained in qualified biorepositories, which in general are independent from the partners involved in running a specific clinical trial. At a specific point in time, these samples – as well as clinical and other data collected over the course of a trial – are made available to scientists from around the world, both from within and outside of the BIG network.

All translational research project proposals are carefully reviewed and prioritised by qualified experts and are approved by the steering committees of the respective trials. This process ensures the best use of precious biological materials and gives the best hope for rapid discoveries that can lead to better treatments for individual patients.

The BIG Biomaterials Inventory was created with support from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) / University of Michigan and aims to provide a detailed summary of which materials have been collected for translational research purposes in the context of BIG clinical trials. The inventory therefore serves as a resource for researchers who may wish to access such samples.

BIG provides a platform for Member groups to:

This unique form of collaboration under the BIG umbrella offers a win-win situation for all the partners involved. Next to reducing costs and unnecessary duplication of efforts, it offers the possibility to discuss research issues with breast cancer opinion leaders from over 50 different research groups, spread over the 7 continents. The network also guarantees faster accrual, especially in niche patient populations and, thus, faster responses to the study questions.

Our collaborative approach ensures faster development of effective treatments, and ultimately better treatments and a higher likelihood of cures for patients. Together, we will find a cure.