MDW Discover > Octopus Clinical Trial Biorepository @ 1608

Version: 1.0.0 | Published: 5 Mar 2026 | Updated: 26 days ago

Octopus Clinical Trial Biorepository

Dataset

Documentation

Associated Media:

https://ms-octopus.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk/

Description:

A biorepository of samples from individuals recruited to the OCTOPUS clinical trial for progressive-MS. Samples (serum, plasma, DNA) were collected longitudinally every 6 months (W0, W26, W52, W78), alongside MRI and measurements of disability progression. Biomarkers that are predictive of a) long-term disability in MS and b) responses to medication/ therapy (whether a broad therapy response or a response to a specific medication) are needed for people with MS. While new data suggest that several potential biomarkers may portend a worse long-term prognosis for MS, the interpretation of these results may be limited by the fact that the data were generated from either observational, non-randomised cohorts or from clinical trials, in which people with MS were chosen based on a certain degree of recent disease activity. Hence, there is a need to evaluate such novel biomarkers in a prospective, less biased study to assess its true clinical applicability and generalisability. The OCTOPUS trial presents a unique opportunity for collection of biospecimens.

Coverage

Spatial:

London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, UK

Typical Age Range:

25-70

Follow Up:

1 - 10 Years

Pathway:

1. Participants with a confirmed diagnosis of MS [4] 2. A diagnosis of Secondary progressive stage (SPMS) or Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) [3, 4]. 3. Steady progression as assessed by the treating clinician, rather than relapse (as defined in section 6.5.6), must be the major cause of increasing disability in the preceding 2 years. Progression can be evident from either an increase of at least 1 point if on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;5.5, or an increase of 0.5 point if EDSS score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ge;5.5, and/or clinical documentation of increasing disability 4. EDSS 4.0 &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ndash; 8.0 (inclusive) as assessed at the time of randomisation by the assessing clinician 5. Aged 25 - 70 years old inclusive on the day of randomisation 6. Willing and able to have MRI scans

Provenance

Origin

Purposes:

Research cohort
Study
Trial
Care

Sources:

Other

Collection Situations:

Cohort, study, trial

Temporal

Accrual Periodicity:

Other

Distribution Release Date:

01 January 2027

Start Date:

01 February 2023

Time Lag:

Variable

Accessibility

Access

Access Rights:

Please contact www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk to discuss access to samples / data.

Access Service:

Please contact www.mrcctu.ucl.ac.uk to discuss access to samples / data.

Access Request Cost:

An indicative cost will be provided to applicants upon application. Charges will be based on workload associated with the application. Discussions surrounding costs to access material should be initiated prior to funding applications being made.

Delivery Lead Time:

Variable

Jurisdictions:

Data Controller:

MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

Data Processor:

MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

Usage

Data Use Limitations:

Research-specific restrictions

Data Use Requirements:

Project-specific restrictions
Collaboration required

Resource Creators:

tbc

Format and Standards

Vocabulary Encoding Schemes:

LOCAL

Conforms To:

LOCAL

Languages:

Formats:

text

Observations

Statistical Population

Population Description

Population Size

Measured Property

Observation Date

Events

Number of Serum samples available

6261

sample aliquot

01 March 2026

Events

Number of DNA samples available

230

sample aliquot

01 March 2026

Events

Number of individual sample aliquots stored in the Cardiff biorepository

9589

sample aliquot

01 March 2026

Events

Number of Plasma samples available

3098

sample aliquot

01 March 2026

Persons

Persons providing Week 78 samples

108