Funding boost for cancer treatment trials in Southampton

Three new drug trials are set to be launched in the city to explore a range of immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments to improve survival for cervical cancer, lymphoma or cancer of the urinary tract.

The trials are taking place at the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Southampton and now they have received a boost after funding was donated by Cancer Research UK.

Just over £1m will fund the OptiMATe trial which hopes to improve outcomes for people with lymphoma of the brain and spinal chord whilst the AURORA trial received £814,000 from the charity to assess whether an immunotherapy called atezolizumab can help the body’s own immune system to recognise and target cancer cells.

It is also hoped a new treatment could also be identified for cervical cancer, with almost £700,000 awarded to the CRAIN trial.

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Dr Simon Crabb, Associate Clinical Director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit’s cancer portfolio

Dr Simon Crabb, Associate Clinical Director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit’s cancer portfolio, and Chief Investigator of one of the trials, said: “As everyone is aware, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging.

“The necessary pause to clinical trials work in cancer now needs to get back on track. And so, to receive funding for these three different clinical trials, which we originally planned before the pandemic, is fantastic news. I think each of these disease areas is an important area where further research is needed, so we’re delighted to receive this funding from Cancer Research UK.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: “We’re proud to be investing in these three promising clinical trials developing new and better cancer treatments.

“Clinical trials like these help us learn more about how to tackle cancer, which still shortens far too many lives. These trials will also allow hundreds of people with cancer to access new or improved treatments, while contributing to the steady progress being made through research – progress which takes us closer to a world where all cancers can be cured.”