Dr. Lucy Norris

Research Description:

The coagulation research group comprises of basic scientists, gynaecologists and oncologists working in the area of thrombosis in cancer. The main focus of the group is the development of risk models for predicting and preventing thrombosis in gynaecological and other cancers. Using a combination of clinical risk factors and haemostatic biomarkers, we have developed a risk model for the prediction of venous thrombosis in gynaecological cancer patients. More recently we are developing biomarkers to predict thrombosis in patients undergoing chemotherapy which may be used to tailor prophylaxis in high-risk patients.
Coagulation activation and thrombin formation are also thought to play a role in tumour biology and metastasis. Data from our group has shown that a key inhibitory pathway of blood coagulation, the aPC pathway is dysregulated in ovarian cancer. Using the TCD gynaecological cancer bioresource, we are working to determine the role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.
The group also works with patient organisations to increase awareness of thrombosis risk in cancer patients and to identify key priorities for patients in relation to VTE prophylaxis leading to the development of better decision aids.
Lucy Norris is the Principal Investigator of Coagulation Research group at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has over 25 years' experience in the area of haemostasis and thrombosis research and has published extensively in this area. She is Co-editor in Chief of the journal "Thrombosis Update" and a member of the editorial board of Thrombosis Research and European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology. The group has received funding from the Health Research Board, St. James’s Foundation and from un-restricted grants from the pharmaceutical industry.