A year ago, Adrian Taylor was told cancer had spread to his lung could and not be cured, and standard treatments would not help. But he was given a lifeline with the chance to join a clinical research trial at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool.
“I was only 53 years old. I had a family, children, friends – I had so much left to give, and to be told I had incurable cancer was shattering,” said Adrian. “So, when I heard that there was a clinical trial which could help, I jumped at it straight away. If I did not go on the trial, there was 100% chance of me dying – so I was more than happy to sign up.”
Adrian, from Wirral, has been visiting Clatterbridge since November for injections of the cancer vaccine, a therapy designed to stimulate his own immune system to fight the disease. It is given together with more standard immunotherapy, pembrolizumab.
“I feel fine,” said Adrian, who lives with wife Karen in Wallasey, and who has three daughters and a son. “I am back at work and doing everything I used to do, as well as going to the hospital every few weeks, which is no great hardship.
“The future is really positive for me now. I was proud to walk one of my daughters down the aisle late last year and I’ve attended two of my daughters’ graduations recently. A year ago, I didn’t think I’d be around long enough to do any of this.”
In June last year, Adrian had successful treatment for head and neck cancer, with a tumour on his tonsil. But a later scan showed that the cancer had spread to one of his lungs and was growing rapidly. It was inoperable and doctors told him it was terminal. “I was staring death in the face,” said Adrian.
But now, after taking part in Clatterbridge’s clinical research trial – a UK first – the cancer in his lung has almost been eradicated. “It is amazing,” said Adrian. “Everyone is stunned at how much progress has been achieved – especially me. The initial hope was for the cancer to not grow or spread elsewhere, and I would be able to live with it long term. To see it steadily shrink to virtually nothing is absolutely fantastic.”
“One of the great things about these vaccines is the reduction in side effects that patients can experience when compared to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”
The technology behind cancer vaccines is the same as in the successful COVID-19 vaccines – and the huge investment in creating those has pushed forward the availability of these new therapies for cancer.
Prof Ottensmeier said: “Our knowledge of cancer vaccines is growing quickly and we are grateful to patients such as Adrian who agree to take part in clinical trials as it gives us first-hand experience of using these new treatments in patients for their benefit and that of others. We are really pleased to be able to offer these cutting-edge therapies to eligible patients at Clatterbridge – they could become standard treatments in the future.”
Adrian believes everyone who has the chance to take part in clinical research studies should do so. He said: “I would strongly recommend anyone to explore the opportunity to join a trial. I don’t see it as ‘what have you got to lose?’ but more a case of ‘what could you lose by not exploring trials as an option?’. Even if the treatment doesn’t produce the desired results, you are helping other people who come after you as this research is pushing the boundaries of what we know about cancer.
“And the hospital will look after you so well. I cannot thank the team at Clatterbridge enough. It’s a first-class facility with first-class people. I actually enjoy coming here.”
Adrian added: “I feel proud and privileged to be taking part in research which could change cancer treatment for ever.”
