How we’ve supported more than 10,000 screenings for CF research
A big year for CF clinical research
Cystic Fibrosis Trust set up the Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform – CTAP for short – nine years ago to speed up CF research in the UK. CTAP brings together a network of CF centres to deliver a wide range of research across the country. Through CTAP we aim to push forward developments in CF care, as well as help more people with CF have opportunities to take part in research.
Reaching 10,000 screenings shows just how far we’ve come. We supported more than 600 screenings in the last 12 months alone (June 2025 – May 2026), three times the number of screenings we supported three years ago.
With more people being screened, it’s been possible to set up a huge range of CF studies in the UK. In the last year alone we’ve helped set up early phase genetic therapy studies. We’ve supported bigger studies like CF Tracker, which is looking at the causes of lung exacerbations (flare-ups), to recruit 143 people. Plus, we’ve helped 173 people complete the GRAMPUS-CF study, looking at patterns of gut symptoms in people with CF.
What is a study screening?
Screening is the process of finding out if you can join a study. There are lots of different types of CF studies and the screening process can vary a lot. Some studies don’t have many requirements to join, so you and your CF team should be able to easily tell if you can join. For example, the CF BioResource project is creating a genetic register of people with CF to help future CF research. Anyone with CF can join.
Other studies may be looking for people with more specific criteria. For example, they may need people of a specific age, CF genotype (your specific CF gene variant), lung function, or people taking specific CF treatments. Sometimes you won’t know if you can take part until you go for a screening visit. A screening visit will usually be at the CF centre where the study will take place. The research team might ask you about your health and possibly run tests (for example to assess lung function) or ask you to provide a sample (for example a blood sample).
Being screened doesn’t mean you have to take part in a study. You can withdraw from any study at any stage without giving a reason.
What would stop you joining a study?
We know that not everyone has the same opportunities to take part in research. As part of our Diversity in Clinical Trials project, we are running a survey to get a better understanding of who is under-represented in CF research and what makes people more or less likely to join studies.
If you would be happy to share your thoughts and experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Your input will directly shape how we help make research more accessible for everyone with CF.
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