On Clinical Trials Day 2026, we are pleased to share an exciting milestone: our hospital is planning to take part in its first advanced therapy clinical trial, using a treatment called CAR‑T cell therapy. Our senior research nurse Karen talks about advanced therapy trials in our latest video:
Advanced therapies are an innovative type of treatment. Instead of using medicines made in a laboratory alone, they use living cells, often taken from a patient or a donor. These are then carefully changed or prepared to treat the disease. These therapies target illnesses in a very precise way and are often used when standard treatments have not worked.
CAR‑T cell therapy is one example of advanced therapy. CAR‑T stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T‑cell therapy. The process involves collecting a patient’s immune cells, called T cells. Specialists then treat these cells in a laboratory so they can recognise and attack diseased cells more effectively. Once ready, the cells go back into the patient’s body. This helps the immune system fight the disease better.
Although CAR‑T therapy is already helping patients in NHS Grampian, starting clinical trials like this is a big step. Clinical trials help us learn how new treatments work, how safe they are, and who they may help most.
Our hospital has been a registered CAR‑T cell therapy hospital since September 2024. A great deal of preparation has taken place behind the scenes. Specialist staff, facilities and safety processes are all essential to make sure we can deliver advanced therapies safely and effectively. Revolutionary cancer treatment arrives in North of Scotland
This advanced therapy trial marks the beginning of an important new chapter for research in NHS Grampian, reflecting our commitment to research, innovation and improving patient care.
Links to further information