North West London recruits first global patient to leukaemia trial
The world’s first patient in a new leukaemia trial has been recruited at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The trial — sponsored by Novartis and supported locally by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) North West London — is testing the optimal treatment dose of a drug called asciminib for patients living with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
"Our research active Trust prides itself on offering opportunities to take part in research."
Dragana Milojkovic, Chief Investigator of the study at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
"Effective treatments are already available for some patients living with CML, but the eventual findings of this new study could potentially create even better outcomes for patients who receive the treatment drug being tested, as well as broadening the choice of therapy.
"I am delighted that the first global patient has been recruited here at Hammersmith Hospital, to the credit of our team. Our research active Trust prides itself on offering opportunities to take part in research. This trial has the potential to be of huge benefit to not only the people taking part, but other patients living with the condition across the UK and beyond."
Being the first country to recruit a patient in a global trial is a key performance indicator for the life sciences industry as it shows that the UK can support the rapid set-up and recruitment of studies.
This trial will recruit a total of approximately 186 patients globally. It will look specifically at patients in the chronic phase of CML, which means they will have fairly mild symptoms (if any) and usually respond to standard treatments.
Patients will be randomised to either receive asciminib 40 mg twice a day or of 80 mg once a day. The dose may be adjusted depending on how the patient responds.
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