Thursday 5 July 2001
The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust today (Thursday 5 July) launch their Annual Research Report 2000 with news of a pioneering new drug that leads to rapid tumour shrinkage and the effective treatment of a rare form of intestinal cancer.
The drug called STI571, also known as Glivec®, marks a major breakthrough in drug development and has shown astonishing results against a type of soft tissue sarcoma.
Previously developed for chronic leukaemia, the drug is the result of many years of research into growth factors and molecular abnormalities within cancerous cells. This research is now being successfully applied to the treatment of a specific type of intestinal sarcoma called Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST).
Results from trials on patients with GIST at The Royal Marsden Hospital, - which carried out the first Phase 1 study of STI571 in GIST, together with two European centres from the EORTC Sarcoma Group have been extremely positive. The majority of patients responded significantly to their new treatment and their tumours shrank or stopped growing. Even patients with extremely advanced disease - causing severe weight loss, weakness and night sweats - benefited from this remarkable drug.
Dr Ian Judson, one of the lead investigators of the drug, commented:
"The benefits of Glivec® are overwhelming. Most striking is the speed of clinical improvement. These results could provide a glimpse of the future of drug development and we are now actively seeking to develop new drugs that will, like Glivec, precisely target the molecular abnormalities in tumours."
These results are particularly important, as treatment for GIST has in the past been limited to surgery, symptom control or palliative care.
Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, said:
"The results from the trial are very exciting. For the first time these patients will be given a drug that shows excellent results without some of the harmful side effects of previous treatments."
The drug was given orally over a dose range of 400 to 1000mg a day and clinicians have reported that an overwhelming majority of patients responded positively to the treatment.
Dr Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, commented:
"This will mark the beginning of a new era for the development of anti-cancer drugs. We are hopeful that our scientists can build on this research to develop similar drugs that can treat other cancers equally effectively."
This study at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust used the groundbreaking research of Brian Druker and the scientists at Novartis as its foundation. A further trial is now being carried out to determine the most effective dose comparing 400mg to 800mg daily.
- ends -
For more information, please contact:
The Institute of Cancer Research
Tel: 0207 970 6030
email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
- The study was carried out at The Royal Marsden Hospital and two other centres in Europe and involved 40 patients with soft tissue sarcoma, 36 of who had GIST
- In all but four of the GIST cases patients responded significantly to treatment with the tumour either shrinking or stopping growth
- GIST may affect 500-1000 patients a year in the UK, the precise numbers are unclear
- STI571 (Glivec®, Novartis) can cause serious side effects and must only be given under the supervision of experienced cancer physicians
- Glivec® has been licensed in the USA for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia
- The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust together form the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. By working in close partnership, research findings at The Institute are translated quickly into clinical care at the Royal Marsden
- This year the Royal Marsden is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.