The cancer research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre (CTC) patient engagement day 2025 - celebrating patient involvement and engagement in clinical research

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is essential to high-quality cancer research, ensuring that studies reflect patient and public priorities and lived experience. In summer 2025, the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and UCL Cancer Trials Centre (CTC) hosted a Patient Engagement Day, building on a similar event held in 2023. The aims were to educate PPIE representatives about opportunities for involvement in cancer clinical trials and to expand the pool of patient partners contributing to CTC research. The event was co-designed with PPIE representatives and the programme included presentations, patient-led talks, panel discussions, case studies, workshops and networking. Content was shaped by feedback from the 2023 event and consultation with current PPIE partners. Invitations were widely distributed through research, charity and community networks to encourage attendance from both new and experienced PPIE representatives. Three parallel workshops focused on training and support needs for PPIE partners, inclusive recruitment of patients to clinical trials, and communication with trial participants. Ninety-nine PPIE representatives and healthcare professionals registered for the event and 78 attended, including 53 PPIE representatives, representing an increase in patient participation compared with 2023. Attendees reflected a broad range of PPIE experience, from novice (limited experience of PPIE activities in research, self-evaluated) to expert (involved in PPIE activities for more than 5 years, self-evaluated), supporting peer learning and networking. Post-event feedback was completed by 46 attendees (59%). All respondents agreed that the event met its aims, and most found it useful for networking, with 98% stating they would attend a similar event again. Contact was made with approximately 30 new patient representatives interested in being involved with the work of the CRUK and UCL CTC. Workshops identified immediate and future training needs for PPIE representatives, including understanding PPIE roles, research governance, evaluation of impact, quality of life measures and engagement with industry. Participants used their PPIE expertise to generate practical ideas to improve inclusive recruitment of patients to trials and highlighted the importance of clear, accessible communication with trial participants throughout the research lifecycle. The 2025 Patient Engagement Day met its objectives and demonstrated the value of co-designed, accessible events in strengthening PPIE in cancer research. Feedback and workshop outputs will inform future CTC processes, training and engagement activities, supporting ongoing improvement and more inclusive patient involvement. In summer 2025, the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and UCL Cancer Trials Centre (CTC) held a Patient Engagement Day to bring together Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) representatives. The event built on a similar meeting in 2023 and aimed to help patients and carers understand how they can be involved in cancer research, while also encouraging more people to take on these roles in the future. PPIE representatives were involved in planning every part of the event. The day included talks, panel discussions, workshops and networking. Topics covered how clinical trials are designed, where patient input can make the biggest difference, how researchers could communicate better with trial participants, and how to make research more inclusive and diverse. Examples of cancer studies where PPIE improved trial design, information materials and community engagement were presented. The event was held at an accessible venue in central London, with travel costs covered and regular breaks included to reduce fatigue. Over half of attendees were patient or carer representatives (ranging from beginners to very experienced advocates). The remaining attendees were healthcare professionals, allowing people to learn from each other. Feedback showed the event was successful: most attendees found it useful, especially for networking, and nearly everyone said they would attend again. Importantly, contact was made with around 30 new patient representatives interested in being involved with the work of the CRUK and UCL CTC. Lessons learned from feedback will help improve future events and strengthen patient involvement in cancer research.