A trial looking at immunotherapy and combretastatin for advanced bowel and pancreatic cancer (A5B7-CA4P PH1/092)

This trial was looking at combination of I-A5B7 and combretastatin (CA4P) for advanced bowel cancer and pancreatic cancer. This trial was supported by Cancer Research UK.

A5B7 is a type of biological therapy called a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies target specific cells, and A5B7 targets cells that produce CEA. This is a chemical produced by some cancer cells.

In this trial, the A5B7 had radioactive iodine attached to it, so it is called I-A5B7. The idea is that the radioactive iodine kills the cancer cells.

Combretastatin damages the blood vessels in the cancer. So it blocks the cancer’s blood supply and hopefully stops the cancer growing.

The aims of this trial were to find out

• What effect I-A5B7 and combretastatin had on blood flow to the cancer

• The best dose to give

• More about the side effects

• If I-A5B7 and combretastatin may be a useful treatment for cancer