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Considering a rejection rate of 80–90%, the preparation of a research grant is often considered a daunting task since it is resource intensive and there is no guarantee of success, even for seasoned researchers. This commentary provides a summary of the key points a researcher needs to consider when writing a research grant proposal, outlining: (1) how to conceptualise the research idea; (2) how to find the right funding call; (3) the importance of planning; (4) how to write; (5) what to write, and (6) key questions for reflection during preparation. It attempts to explain the difficulties associated with finding calls in clinical pharmacy and advanced pharmacy practice, and how to overcome them. The commentary aims to assist all pharmacy practice and health services research colleagues new to the grant application process, as well as experienced researchers striving to improve their grant review scores. The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate “innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy”.

Introduction Cancer is a complex illness whereby patients require access to various healthcare services provided by the multidisciplinary team over a prolonged period of time. Aim To explore patients’ experiences of cancer healthcare services whilst undergoing treatment with antineoplastic medicines. Methods This qualitative study involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the only national oncology centre available in Malta. Interviews allowed a detailed exploration of the patients’ lived experience with antineoplastic treatment on aspects relating to medicine-related beliefs, practice and burden (1). Interviews were held between December 2018 and November 2019, when patients were receiving their fourth or sixth cycle of treatment with XELOX or FOLFOX respectively. They were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in the native language, with a sample of 10% checked for transcription accuracy. Data saturation was established using a stopping criterion of three (2). Data were analysed thematically by two independent researchers with disagreements resolved through discussion. Results A total of 16 patients with colorectal cancer, aged between 38 and 78 years, were interviewed. Four themes emerged:1) experiences of patients of the cancer services, 2) healthcare professionals’ communication with patients, 3) patient’s perception of the role of the healthcare professional in the management of the illness, and 4) recommendations for the service. Patients were appreciative of the fast-track route for hospital appointments upon a diagnosis of cancer and the accessibility of a cancer-specific nurse navigator to address their challenges. Problems were mainly encountered in-between cycles while patients were at home, with difficulty in assessing the severity of adverse effects. This led to struggles with decision making and whether to self-refer to the emergency department or alternatively whether to seek verbal advice from the nurse navigator. Despite the generalised information provision during the nurse-led group information session at initiation of treatment, patients recommended an additional follow-up session for reinforcement of knowledge tailored to their own needs. Although most patients preferred to receive parenteral treatment under the surveillance of trained healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, they proposed activities such as individual or group counselling and educational treatment-specific sessions or peer-led discussion during treatment administration. ‘Initially I had no symptoms however these cropped up around 4th cycle. Having meetings with healthcare professionals whilst receiving chemo allows sharing of information about this specific treatment.’[P004] Recommendations made by patients included medicine review taking into account their chronic medicines and provision of knowledge to assess the severity of their adverse effects experienced at home ‘Due to my heart problems, I wonder whether another ‘safe’ medicine may be used…prefer to discuss this with healthcare professional whilst having a review of all my medicines.’[P003] Conclusion This study highlighted that timeliness and accessibility of healthcare services are crucial in cancer care and are greatly appreciated by the patients. The limitation of the study was that views were only captured from those participants who consented to be interviewed. The introduction of interventions along the treatment journey to address their current needs was recommended. References (1) Brincat A, Bonanno PV, Stewart D, Weidmann AE. Patients’ lived experiences with antineoplastic medicines for the management of malignant solid tumours: A systematic review. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2020; 16(4):450-463. (2) Francis JJ, Johnston M, Robertson C, Glidewell L, Entwistle V, Eccles MP et al. What is an adequate sample size? Operationalising data saturation for theory-based interview studies. Psychol Health. 2010; 25(10):1229–1245.

Prostate apoptosis response gene-4, known as par-4, is a new proapoptotic factor functionally required but not sufficient for apoptosis. Since there is evidence from prostate cancer cells that par-4 is involved in regulation of bcl-2 we assessed expression of par-4 and bcl-2 in different populations of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes.Expression of par-4 mRNA and protein in different subpopulations of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Par-4 mRNA was not detectable in lymphocytes of healthy volunteers (n = 10), but was present in the majority of samples of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 30), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/prolymphocytic leukemia (n = 6) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (n = 10). Par-4 protein was expressed unanimously in samples of mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers and patients with CLL, but less frequently in immature lymphocytes, including neoplastic cells of CLL/PLL and ALL. The decreased frequency of par-4 expression in immature subpopulations was confirmed by results on lymphocytic cell lines at various stages of maturation. Comparing the expressional patterns of par-4 and bcl-2 there was an inverse relationship of both proteins in ALL and different lymphocytic cell lines, indicating a functional relationship of par-4 and bcl-2.This study establishes par-4 as a factor expressed in the majority of normal and neoplastic lymphocytic cells, demonstrating a decreased frequency of protein expression in less differentiated lymphocytes and an inverse expressional pattern of par-4 and bcl-2 in lymphocytic cell lines and ALL.

Lo sviluppo e le funzioni della difesa immunitaria dell’uomo possono essere sensibilmente disturbati da difetti congeniti ed acquisiti. Questi difetti possono essere di natura primaria o secondaria e ad essi corrisponde, sul piano clinico, un’accresciuta facilita alle infezioni. Per valu-tare e chiarire il sospetto diagnostico di un deficit immunitario e disponibile tutta una serie di metodi invivo ed in vitro. A seconda del quadro clinico, sono previsti van livelli di indagine a carico dei sistemi di difesa umorali e/o cellulari propri dell’organismo; queste indagini possono essere eseguite routinariamente in ogni laboratorio oppure essere rappresentate da test aggiunti-vi che in certi ambienti specializzati e possibile conduire a termine.