GRASS-UK
Who We Are?
The Global Registry of Alopecia areata disease Severity and treatment Safety- United Kingdom (GRASS-UK) is a prospective disease Register designed to study the safety and effectiveness of alopecia areata (AA) treatments in “real-world” NHS practice. GRASS-UK is part of a global collaboration (called GRASS-International) that will collect the same core dataset in each country involved, allowing pooling of data internationally to strengthen any findings.
The project has been set-up now because the treatment landscape for AA is changing rapidly, as highlighted by the recent approval of two new licenced Janus kinase inhibitor therapies for AA, along with several other small molecule and biologic therapy targets currently under development. However, with this expanding treatment armamentarium comes uncertainty, particularly around the long-term safety and effectiveness of these therapies and how they compare with currently available treatment options. This position is similar to the introduction of biologic therapies in psoriasis over 15 years ago, with history showing us the importance of long-term prospective data generated by BADBIR in informing treatment decision making.
GRASS-UK data will be available to analyse and interrogate for the purposes of dermatology research.
The pilot-phase of this project is funded by the British Skin Foundation (BSF) and the charity Alopecia UK. GRASS-UK is hosted at the University of Manchester and managed by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). Ongoing support will be through funding from pharmaceutical companies, but these companies will not be directly involved in the study activities and will not be represented on the Steering Committee.
What We Do
The pilot phase of GRASS-UK will run from January 2024-December 2024. We currently have 3 pilot sites for this stage of the project:
- Salford Royal Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
- Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust
- Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Phase 1 of the project will expand the study sites to UK centres that provide specialist hair loss services, with 15 sites identified. We also plan to introduce a linked bioresource collection during Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 will then see the roll-out of GRASS-UK to any UK dermatology centre interested in being involved.
The activities of GRASS-UK are directed by the following committees:
- The Steering Committee provides strategic oversight of the study
- The Data Monitoring Committee will provide independent oversight of safety data collected
- The Bioresource Committee will provide oversight of the collection, storage and use of biomaterials donated.
GRASS-UK will be on the NIHR research portfolio.
How To Get Involved
GRASS-UK is keen to receive expressions of interest from dermatology departments who would like to join. We encourage all BAD members and their departments to become involved.
For more information is available about the project and how you can get involved, please contact grassuk@manchester.ac.uk.
We encourage all pharmaceutical companies to join GRASS-UK. For more information, please contact shehnaz@bad.org.uk.
BADBIR has shown us the strength of real-world data in psoriasis management. With the rapidly changing therapeutic landscape for alopecia areata it is important now to once again harness the collaborative strength of British and International Dermatology to inform clinicians and patients on the safety and effectiveness of new treatment options for alopecia areata as they come to market.
Dr Matthew Harries, GRASS-UK Co-Chief Investigator
GRASS-UK will provide a unique opportunity to capture important pharmacovigilance data for many patients with alopecia areata. We urge all dermatologists to contribute as we expand beyond the pilot phase.
Dr Nekma Meah, GRASS-UK Co-Chief Investigator
