
Last year in the UK over 60,000 cancer patients enrolled on clinical trials aimed at improving cancer treatments and making them available to all.
This trial looked at the genetic material (DNA) of people who had chemotherapy for advanced bowel cancer. This was to see if it affected how well they responded to treatment.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment for people with advanced bowel cancer. It works well for some people, but unfortunately not so well for others. There are a number of theories about why this happens, but no one is quite sure at the moment.
There is increasing evidence about how affect the chances of developing cancer. And how they can affect people's response to treatments like chemotherapy. Doctors hope that in the future they will increasingly be able to tailor treatments according to people's genetic make up.
The aim of this trial was see if researchers could identify any common factors or genetic faults in people who respond well to chemotherapy, compared to those who don’t.
We have contacted the trial team who have told us that it is unlikely that the results from this trial will be published.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Prof Angela Cox
Dr Maria Marples
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
Weston Park Hospital Cancer Appeal fund
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last year in the UK over 60,000 cancer patients enrolled on clinical trials aimed at improving cancer treatments and making them available to all.