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Flu Trial's First UK Patient Recruited in NWL

A patient in North West London is the first to be recruited in the UK for a major global flu trial.

A patient in North West London is the first to be recruited in the UK for a new flu trial.

The patient was recruited by Dr Rakshan Syed at Aksyr Medical Practice in London, as part of the Centerstone trial. This is a major global study supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network North West London.

Dr Syed said: “It has been both interesting and challenging being part of this study. It has not only involved working with the patient but also with their household members, which has presented us with new challenges”.

Centerstone will look at a drug called balozavir marboxil, which works to reduce the symptoms of some types of flu. The study will test if the drug helps to stop the infection spreading.

Those taking part will have been diagnosed with the flu and aged between 12-64 years. This is a household study intended to reflect a real-world population, with at least 2 eligible household members also taking part. Household members will not receive the study treatment but will be monitored to see if they catch the infection.

Delivering this trial has presented some obstacles. “Working collaboratively with community nurses and waiting for a courier to arrive at 10pm to collect the swabs to transport to the Netherlands, in a turnaround time of 36 hours from door-to-door, has been quite anxiety provoking”, Dr Syed said.

“However, if the outcome of the trial can demonstrate reducing household transmission of the flu, this would be invaluable in patient care and has spurred me on to recruit patients despite the hurdles”.

The study will last around 1 year, with approximately 1,130 patients and 2,030 household members taking part globally.

Recruiting a first UK patient is a key performance indicator as it shows the CRN North West London and our partners can support the rapid set-up and recruitment of studies.