Myeloma UK launches the Myeloma Clinical Trial Network
Myeloma UK has today launched a first-of-its-kind national Clinical Trial Network designed to transform the way drugs for myeloma are tested and accessed in the UK.
The Clinical Trial Network brings together for the first time clinical specialists and researchers, the pharmaceutical industry and NHS regulatory bodies to conceive, design and manage a portfolio of early phase trials of novel myeloma drugs in the UK.
Eight established research centres around the country have been recruited to undertake the trials in the portfolio. The centres will be supported by a National Coordinating Office for the network based at the University of Leeds.
Myeloma patients will be able to take part in the trials at these eight centres and in collaborating centres across the UK. The first trials are due to recruit patients in early 2010.
Myeloma UK is investing over £3 million into this network over the next 5 years.
Eric Low, Myeloma UK Chief Executive commented: “This is a huge investment for a cancer organisation of our size and I am confident that it will lead to very important benefits for myeloma patients. Thank you to all our loyal supporters and fundraisers without which none of this would be possible.”
What are the aims of the Myeloma Clinical Trial Network?
The Clinical Trial Network is a key component of the Myeloma UK ‘bench-to-bedside’ research strategy. Researchers have come a very long way in recent years in our understanding of myeloma and in the development of effective drugs and there are many promising developments on the horizon. It is critical that patients in the UK are able to benefit as soon as possible from these developments.
Despite the very encouraging progress in recent years, rare cancers like myeloma can have less opportunity to undertake the same level of research as more common cancers. At the same time, due to the fact that drugs for rarer cancers are often much more expensive than for common cancers, patients can face long delays before new effective drugs are approved for use on the NHS.
The Clinical Trial Network involves collaboration with all those involved in the processes of drug development, testing, and in subsequent drug approval processes. In doing this, it aims to reinstate the NHS as the world leader in myeloma research and ensure that patients in the UK are the first to access exciting developments.
What are early phase trials?
Early phase trials are studies of new drugs at an early stage of their development. They allow researchers to understand how the drug works and how best to use them.
One of the major benefits of early phase trials is that they offer patients an earlier opportunity to try the new drug than would otherwise be the case.
Where will the trial sites be located?
The lead trial sites in the network will be located in the following centres:
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 St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
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University Hospital, Birmingham
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Christie’s Hospital, Manchester
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King’s College Hospital, London
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St James’s University Hospital, Leeds
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Nottingham University Hospitals
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Royal Marsden Hospital, London
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University College Hospital, London
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Patients will be able to take part in trials at these lead trial sites and also at collaborating centres located across the UK.
How can I find out more?
The Clinical Trial Network is in the early stages of getting underway and more information about the trials will be posted as soon as it is available.
The Clinical Trial Network will involve myeloma doctors throughout the UK who will be regularly kept up to date with the development of trials in the network. Patients and doctors should discuss together whether there are suitable trials and how patients may participate in them.
To find out more about how the Clinical Trial Network works please contact Maggie Lai, Myeloma UK Research Programme Coordinator, on 0131 557 3332 or by email Maggie@myeloma.org.uk
Can I donate or fundraise to support this initiative?
Yes. It is all thanks to our supporters that Myeloma UK is able to launch the Clinical Trial Network today. It represents an immense achievement but we need your continued support to ensure that the initiative delivers on its potential.
If you want to support the Clinical Trial Network by making a donation you can do so online or by contacting the Myeloma UK Fundraising Team by email or on 0131 557 3332.
You can also support the Clinical Trial Network by choosing to fundraise for Myeloma UK. For example, you may choose to organise a fundraising event in your community to raise both funds and awareness of how your local area is involved in the network.
If you would like to get involved this way please do contact the Myeloma UK Fundraising Team for ideas for how to make the most out of your fundraising event or just to let us know that you are supporting the network. We would love to hear from you.
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