Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.
A trial looking at Taxoprexin (DHA-paclitaxel) for advanced non small cell lung cancer
Cancer type:
Lung cancer
Non small cell lung cancer
Status:
Results
Phase:
Phase 2
This trial was looking at a drug called Taxoprexin for non small cell lung cancer that was stage 3B or stage 4.
Doctors sometimes use chemotherapy to treat advanced lung cancer. In this trial, they were looking at a new drug called Taxoprexin. It is made up of a 
chemotherapy drug called paclitaxel, and a natural fatty acid called DHA. Cancer cells collect fatty acids, including DHA. So the researchers hoped that this would help more of the paclitaxel to get into the cancer cells and kill them.
The aims of the trial were to find out
- How well Taxoprexin worked for advanced non small cell lung cancer
- What the side effects were
Summary of results
The researchers found that Taxoprexin helped some people. But when they compared their results with trials looking at different types of lung cancer chemotherapy, they found that Taxoprexin didn’t work any better than other drugs.
The trial recruited 44 people who had advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Everybody taking part had at least one dose of Taxoprexin.
- In 2 people, the cancer got smaller – the researchers call this a
partial response - In 16 people, the cancer stayed the same size – researchers call this
stable disease - In 26 people, the cancer continued to grow
The main side effect was a drop in the number of blood cells, causing an increased risk of infection, bruising or bleeding problems. And 5 people had an allergic reaction to the drug.
As Taxoprexin was no better than other drugs for NSCLC, the trial team didn’t think there should be more trials looking at this as a treatment for lung cancer.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Dr David Dunlop
Supported by
Protarga
Theradex
Other information
We have more information about the work of Prof Malcolm Dunlop.
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
Oracle 143
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Around 1 in 5 people take part in clinical trials
