Experimental drugs offer new hope for cancer patients

Jul 1 2009 The Journal

NORTH East cancer patients who fail to respond to treatment could be offered one last throw of the dice in their battle for survival.

Three cancer charities working in the region have officially declared they are set to work together in a bid to improve research and develop cutting-edge treatments. Staff at Newcastle Centre for Cancer Research hope to introduce at least one new drug for clinical trial each year for the next five years.

Professor Herbie Newell says he wants to offer anyone in the North East who has failed to conquer their cancer the chance to take experimental drugs.

His pledge will be seen as the last hope to many who otherwise would have to resign themselves to their cancer being terminal.

Last night Professor Newell said: “I think this is the most important days for cancer research in the North East of England. Our two major strengths are in discovering new treatments and new tests which we can use in conjunction with the treatments to make personalised medicine.

“Each patient will be most likely to get the drug which will benefit them and least likely to have side effects.”

The Newcastle Centre for Cancer Research officially opens today and involves a collaboration of experts and funding from Newcastle University, the NHS, Cancer Research UK, Leukaemia Research and the north of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund. One of those already receiving experimental treatment is pensioner Brian Applegarth. The 74-year-old from Springwell Village in Gateshead is suffering from inoperable stomach cancer.