cancer

World-leading clinical research showcased as Minister pays visit to NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility

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An image of key clinical staff and colleagues standing smiling in a line up photo with Karin Smyth MP stood in the centre outside the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility St James site.

World-leading clinical research and pioneering cancer treatment taking place in Leeds has been showcased as part of the Government’s national cancer plan roll out.  We recently welcomed Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health to St James’s University Hospital to see first-hand the cutting edge cancer trials and the innovative treatment which is being pioneered. 

An image of Professor Chris Twelves speaking with minister Karin Smyth MP in a clinical room.

The Minister had the opportunity to meet with Prof Chris Twelves, Professor of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology & Oncology and Clinical Director NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility alongside clinical research colleagues, senior clinicians and experts and partners of Leeds Teaching Hospitals who work collaboratively to deliver world-class cancer treatment to patients across Yorkshire.    

Ms Smyth heard about the diverse and expansive portfolio of clinical research, particularly rare cancers including anal cancer, myeloma and sarcoma, while visiting the state-of-the-art NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility based at the hospital.  It was the opportunity for us to share the world-leading, early-phase, experimental medicine studies taking place right here which aim to develop new treatments and healthcare therapies for the future.  

Prof Chris Twelves said: 

“We were delighted to welcome Minister Smyth to NIHR Leeds CRF recently.  It was an opportunity to demonstrate our impressive track record of delivering early phase experimental medicine trials and evaluating a range of new therapies and interventions.   Leeds St James’s CRF is just one of our five clinical research facilities co-located at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust  and it was a privilege for our team and I to talk about how we support world-class research here.”

An image of minister Karin Smyth MP with a health care professional standing talking in a hospital corridor.

The Minister also spent time in Leeds Cancer Centre, one of the most comprehensive cancer centres in the UK and home to the largest single-site radiotherapy treatment service.  It was the opportunity to shine a light on the advances in treatment of anal cancer using precision radiotherapy, which has been pioneered following research by Prof David Sebag-Montefiore, Professor of Clinical Oncology at University of Leeds and funded by Cancer Research UK.     We were delighted to share the breadth and depth of clinical research we do right here in Leeds and demonstrate the impact we’re having on our patients today and the healthcare of tomorrow.

First patient in Europe joins new breast cancer trial in Leeds

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The first participant in Europe to take part in a new breast cancer trial has been recruited in Leeds.

The study supported by the NIHR Research Delivery Network, is testing a new drug called BNT327 (also known as PM8002) to see if it’s safe and works well for people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

TNBC does not have the three common “receptors” found in most breast cancers, the oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Because of this, it has been more difficult to treat because it doesn’t respond to hormone therapies or drugs that target HER2, making it harder to treat. As a result, TNBC is more likely to come back and spread than other breast cancers and patient outcomes are less good.

BNT327 is a special kind of medicine called a “bi-specific antibody”. That means it’s designed to target two specific proteins in and around cancers including TNBC: PD-L1 and VEGF-A.

PD-L1 helps cancer hide from the immune system, and VEGF-A helps tumours grow by creating new blood vessels; BNT327 works by blocking both proteins. BNT327, given with chemotherapy, aims to helps the immune system find and attack the cancer, slows tumours growth by cutting off its blood supply, treating TNBC.

Professor Chris Twelves, University of Leeds, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Director NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility CRF) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is conducting the study with the CRF team at St James’s University Hospital

Professor Chris Twelves, Director of the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility and Trial Lead said :  “There is a particular need for new treatments for people with TNBC so we are especially pleased to be able to offer them this innovative, novel another treatment through this trial” .

The study participant said: “I’m incredibly grateful to the wonderful team running the Leeds trial. Having an additional treatment option has given me renewed hope, and the close monitoring and support of the team have been very reassuring.

Man becomes first in the world to join new part of brain cancer trial in Leeds

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Ian Johnson and his wife with members of the CRF team

Ian Johnson has become the first person in the world to join a new part of a brain cancer trial testing a drug designed to boost the effects of radiotherapy.

Ian, aged 50, is taking part in a study testing a new drug called AZD1390, which is being used alongside radiotherapy to treat glioblastoma—a type of brain cancer. The drug is designed to make radiotherapy more effective by stopping cancer cells from repairing themselves after treatment.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of brain tumour. The usual treatment involves surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the cancer often returns. The trial is looking for ways to improve treatment for people who have glioblastoma and cancer spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.

This newly opened part of the trial is led by Professor Susan Short, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Ian, a Senior Crown Prosecutor and father of two, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2023 after experiencing symptoms that led to a scan. He said: “The diagnosis was a huge shock; I’d always been healthy and had no medical issues before this.”

He had surgery to remove the tumour in January, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, a scan showed the tumour had returned. Because his body didn’t respond well to chemotherapy, Ian’s doctor referred him to Leeds to explore other treatment options. That’s when he learned about this trial using AZD1390.

Ian added: “I felt hopeful when I heard about the study. “It gave me another option, and as someone with a degree in biology, I also wanted to help future patients by being part of research.”

Since starting the treatment, Ian says he’s been able to continue doing the things he loves, like walking, birdwatching, and spending time with his family: “Apart from feeling more tired than usual, I haven’t had any major side effects. The team here has been incredible—supportive, kind, and always there to answer questions.

“I would absolutely encourage anyone who’s given the chance to consider a clinical trial. Every new treatment has to be tested, and I feel proud to be helping in that process. It’s given me hope—not just for myself, but for others in the future.” The trial is being carried out at the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility, a dedicated space for testing new treatments safely and carefully with the support of expert staff. Patients also benefit from the state-of-the-art Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital, which includes a hotel on the top floor for those travelling long distances.

Professor Susan Short, Clinical Oncologist and Neuro Oncologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the University of Leeds said: “We are really pleased to be offering patients access to promising new treatments like AZD1390 here in Leeds. This part of the trial is an important step in improving care for people with brain cancer.”