Along with one other NHS Trust, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood, Middlesex has successfully recruited the highest number of participants for a UK clinical trial for advanced squamous cell cancer in a specific area of the head and neck.
These particular types of cancers can be difficult to treat or cure. Squamous cells line the surfaces inside the head and neck such as the mouth, nose and throat and about 90% of cancers in the head and neck start in squamous cells. The TrilynX trial involves assessing how effective a new drug could be in improving survival rates for patients having the standard of care chemo-radiotherapy.
Dr Kevin Chiu, Principal Investigator and Clinical Lead for radiotherapy at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre said: “Many patients can benefit from involvement in clinical trials, and it’s exciting that we can offer these latest opportunities to our large catchment population. I thank and congratulate our research and physics teams for their continued dedication and passion.”
The recruitment achievement builds on the team’s recent success as they were also the highest UK recruiter for another international phase 3 drug trial. Future goals for the team include working with other organisations to ensure patients maintain access to emerging treatments such as Proton Beam Therapy and increasing the number and type of trials available at the cancer centre.
The TrilynX trial is taking place in over 250 centres worldwide, with patients being followed up for a minimum of 5 years.
