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UHNM first in the UK to trial lung cancer drug

UHNM first in the UK to trial lung cancer drug. University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust is the first in the UK to recruit patients for an international lung cancer trial to collect data on atezolizumab in clinical practice. Atezolizumab is a type of immunotherapy drug that is used to treat bladder, urinary and lung cancer, by blocking a protein that stops the immune system from working properly and helps to make your immune system find and kill cancer cells

The 'IMreal' study, which focuses on the outcomes and safety of the of the cancer drug under real world conditions, now has an estimated 2,400 participants in more than 10 countries around the world. The real time observational trial has allowed for a new group of research and development nurses to form at the trust, as Apurna Jegannathen, Kelly Smith and Gwen Keay, Sharon Brookes and Katrina Parkinson enrolled the first two patients in the UK.

Apurna Jegannathen, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, said: "As this is our first commercial trial, I am extremely proud of this achievement and the UHNM Lung Cancer research team. The success of this trial brings international level recognition to the research being completed at Royal Stoke Hospital."

"We see and manage a large number of lung cancer patients and I am excited to continue to work towards and encourage lung cancer research, as this has created much greater enthusiasm and encouragement, as UHNM has been recognised as a top recruiter through research participation." 

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