First patient in the UK to be enrolled for a Phase I clinical trial at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
A man has become the first patient in the UK to be recruited, randomised and treated in a phase I clinical study for blood cancer. Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer that causes scarring of the bone marrow which means that blood cells can not develop properly.
A patient at Pilgrim Hospital, part of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), is the first to be recruited into a trial evaluating a drug called TP-3654. The study aims to determine whether the drug is a safe and effective treatment of myelofibrosis. To do this, the drug will be tested at different doses to find out what effects, if any, it has on myelofibrosis.
The BBI-TP-3654-102 ,‘Sumitomo’ trial is sponsored by Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, Inc and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the nation's largest funder of research in the NHS and social care.
The drug has previously shown to have positive effects on symptom management, and early signs of spleen volume reduction. This study offers patients an alternative treatment option that they might not otherwise have access to.
Professor Ciro Rinaldi is the Principal Investigator (PI) at ULHT, who states:
“We have recruited, randomised and started treatment in the BBI-TP-3654-102 ,‘Sumitomo’ trial. This is significant as it is the first time we have recruited a patient into a phase I study in ULHT and marks a milestone for us. On top of this achievement, this is also the first patient in the UK to be recruited to this study. This is the first of an expanding portfolio of phase I trials and the first of many patients to come.”
ULHT has engaged in numerous multi-centre clinical trials, succeeding in both attracting clinical trials, enhancing its clinical research infrastructure, and securing funding from the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) East Midlands. This achievement marks a significant milestone in their ongoing journey in commercial research.
When asked what he would say to someone thinking about taking part in the study, Simon Archer, Research and Innovation (R&I) Delivery Team Lead at ULHT states:
“This study is a great opportunity (for patients) to gain access to compounds which may otherwise not be available to use in the UK.”
“Our highly dedicated research team has Haematology medicine as one of its key areas of focus. In Lincolnshire, we have some of the most diverse and cutting edge treatment options that are available in the country, which provides great opportunities for the population of Lincolnshire.”
The study is open to recruitment at multiple hospital sites under ULHT, including Lincoln (County Hospital) and Boston (Pilgrim Hospital).
If you would like to find out more about NIHR research and how you can take part, visit www.bepartofresearch.uk.
