The first patient has been signed up to a new clinical research trial at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre studying how different forms of radiotherapy effect the treatment of oesophageal cancer.
The PROTIEUS clinical trial compares proton versus photon chemoradiation followed by immunotherapy in the treatment of patients with a very rare sino nasal cancer.
Eligible patients will receive their initial chemotherapy at CCC, followed by either photon radiotherapy or proton radiotherapy in a study being done in partnership with Aintree Hospital and The Christie in Manchester. Standard photon radiotherapy – which is carried out at Clatterbridge – uses high energy X-rays to attack cancer cells but also impacts healthy cells. Proton radiotherapy, offered at The Christie, damages fewer healthy cells and so reduces side effects in patients.
Clinical Research Radiographer James Iddenden said: “We are really pleased to recruit our first patient onto this important study. This is a significant milestone as Clatterbridge is one of a small number of cancer centres currently open to recruitment for this trial, underscoring our commitment to advancing cancer care and providing patients with access to cutting-edge treatments.”
Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research and Innovation Operations, said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone who helped to make the opening of this trial possible. It is important to potentially developing better treatments for this rare cancer and also in extending our experience of working directly with other clinical centres on research studies.”
Patients and staff can contact the local Principal Investigator, Clinical Oncologist Dr Chinnamani Eswar, or Co-Investigators Dr Joachim Chan and Dr Amy Jackson for more information on trial eligibility.
