Researchers in Southampton are launching three new clinical trials for cancer treatments.
The trials are supported by around £2.5m of funding from Cancer Research UK.
The pioneering research will develop new treatment options for patients with lymphoma, cervical cancer and a rare form of cancer of the urinary tract.
Trials are being run by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU) at the University of Southampton.
Improving outcomes from lymphoma
Just over £1m has been allocated to the OptiMATe trial. The research aims to improve outcomes for people with lymphoma of the brain and spinal cord.
A previous trial (IELSG32) investigated a treatment option called MATRix followed by a stem cell transplant. It found the combination could lead to long-term survival for around 70% of people with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). This led to a change in the standard of care for this disease in the UK and much of Europe.
However, around a third of patients do not respond or relapse following this treatment. The OptiMATe trial will now investigate whether MATRix can be optimised by changing timings and intensity of the drugs.
Targeting a rare form of cancer
The AURORA trial will look at whether an immunotherapy treatment could help patients with a rare and often incurable form of cancer. Urinary tract squamous cell carcinoma (UTSCC) is a cancer of the urinary tract including the bladder.
Immunotherapy works by helping your body’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. The AURORA trial will study an immunotherapy called atezolizumab, which will be provided by pharmaceutical company Roche.
The project has received over £814,000 from Cancer Research UK. Southampton’s Dr Simon Crabb is leading the trial.
Increasing numbers of destroyed cancer cells
The CRAIN project has been awarded nearly £700,000 of funding to look at a new treatment for cervical cancer.
Around 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year. The current standard of care in the UK is chemoradiotherapy, but around half of women will suffer long-term side effects from the treatment. Approximately half will see their disease come back.
Apoptosis is the body’s mechanism of programmed cell death that ensures damaged or old cells are removed. But in cancerous cells, the mechanism that causes apoptosis is switched off, which means the cells can grow uncontrollably, causing a tumour.
The CRAIN trial will test a drug called ASTX660 which causes apoptosis in cells. Studies in the laboratory have shown that adding this drug to chemoradiotherapy can increase the number of cancer cells that are destroyed, compared to radiation alone. ASTEX Pharmaceuticals are providing the drug for the trial.
Dr Simon Crabb, Associate Clinical Director of the SCTU’s cancer portfolio, said: “As everyone is aware, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging. The necessary pause to clinical trials work in cancer now needs to get back on track. And so to receive funding for these three different clinical trials, which we originally planned before the pandemic, is fantastic news.
“I think each of these disease areas is an important area where further research is needed, so we’re delighted to receive this funding from Cancer Research UK.”
Posted on Wednesday 10 November 2021