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21/03/2008
Bart's Unit Provide New Hope For Cancer Patients
Bart's Hosptial in London is planning to test new drugs on cancer patients who haven't responded to conventional therapies.
Head of the unit at the hospital, Professor John Gribben says he hopes to halve the usual 10 years it takes to develop a cancer drug.
Professor Gribben is reported as saying: "We no longer have to wait to complete a study to see what happens to the cancer.
"We can get a very early clue on whether the drug is doing what we want it to do. If it isn't, we can get the patient of the study, so they are not being exposed to the potential toxicity of the drug."
The Bart's unit is the first in a network of 19 experimental treatment centres being set up around the UK.
The Department of Health and Cancer Research are funding the units on a budget of £400,000 a year.
Patients will be given a tiny dose of the drug to begin with. Approval will only be given for treatment if patients are no longer responding to conventional methods.
Professor Gibben said patients are keen to take part.
(DS)
Head of the unit at the hospital, Professor John Gribben says he hopes to halve the usual 10 years it takes to develop a cancer drug.
Professor Gribben is reported as saying: "We no longer have to wait to complete a study to see what happens to the cancer.
"We can get a very early clue on whether the drug is doing what we want it to do. If it isn't, we can get the patient of the study, so they are not being exposed to the potential toxicity of the drug."
The Bart's unit is the first in a network of 19 experimental treatment centres being set up around the UK.
The Department of Health and Cancer Research are funding the units on a budget of £400,000 a year.
Patients will be given a tiny dose of the drug to begin with. Approval will only be given for treatment if patients are no longer responding to conventional methods.
Professor Gibben said patients are keen to take part.
(DS)
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