This trial looks into the use of a combination of treatments to stimulate the body’s immune system in patients with renal cancer in order to fight cancerous cells and prevent the return of a tumour following surgery.
Previously, when a patient has been treated for renal cancer, there have been no further options for these patients other than to be monitored, even when there could be over a 50% risk of the cancer coming back.
Immunotherapy treatments re-awaken the immune system to enable it to fight cancer, and have proven to offer the best chance of increasing length and quality of life when renal cancer has already spread.
This trial centres on being able to offer this same treatment to patients in the trial setting to reduce risk of cancer coming back and hopefully cure more patients of cancer.
Omi Parikh, Consultant Oncologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “It was a great full team achievement that led to us being able to recruit the first UK patient into this renal study last month. I’d like to thank Sheila Calvert, Clinical Research Nurse in Oncology; Mr Zelhof, Consultant Urologist, and Nita Desai, Research Access Project Manager in particular for making this happen. There has been a huge gap internationally in treatment options for this group of patients for several years. The patient has been very keen to be offered this opportunity and to be involved in advancing medical knowledge.”
Nita Desai, Research Access Project Manager at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “The most important thing to us is the patients who enable us to carry out these studies. Without them, there would be no trials, and it is their commitment to research into new treatments that makes our work happen. We have not had a study like this in our hospitals for a considerable length of time now, so it is great news that we are able to look into this group of patients and make advancements for current and future patients. ”
Bachar Zelhof, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said “The patient who entered into this trial has been nothing but thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this trial, and gave me fantastic feedback on his experience. A trial like this is a fantastic opportunity to answer an important question and hopefully, give hope to these patients.”
Karen Partington, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said, “As the cancer centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria, as well as a leading research centre, it’s really important that we’re involved in such pioneering trials and programmes. This will enable us to bring emerging treatment and approaches to local patients now, as well as break new ground in healthcare that will benefit future generations.”