Transcript Experimental Medicine

Experimental Cancer Medicine – the
future of cancer care
Rosie Davies (LECMC RP based at RLUH)
Janet Davies (LECMC RP based at CCO)
Aims
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Background
Experimental Cancer Medicine:
What it is
Overview of Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre
(ECMC) Network
- Liverpool ECMC
- Role of the ECMC Nurse
- Future Challenges
Background
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Calman-Hine Report (1995), DoH Cancer Plan
(2000)
Key reports e.g. Strengthening Clinical Research
(Academy of Medical Sciences, 2003) and
Bioscience 2015 (Dept of Trade and Industry, 2004)
highlighted gap between science and clinical
research
Most cancers remain incurable (DoH, 2000)
Need to better co-ordinate health research
Experimental Cancer Medicine
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What is it?
Initiative funded by CRUK and DoH
Early phase trials (I/II) and translational research
Bridges the gap between the researchers and
patients
• It involves developing new cancer treatments,
investigating why treatments already in use cease to
work or why a treatment produces unwanted sideeffects
ECMC Research Pathway
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Basic
Experimental
Late Phase
Science
Medicine
Trials
Discovery
Development
Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre
• A translational research centre which has the
availability and expertise of both laboratory and
clinical facilities
• A Centre where investigational medicinal products
(IMPs) are given in clinical trials.These do not
necessarily benefit the patient (phase 1 trials)
• Each Centre specialises in a limited number of
diseases allowing expert research to be conducted
Con.
• Resources available within an ECMC allow for:
(i) the safe and rapid evaluation of new cancer
treatments
(ii) the development of new biomarkers to
facilitate late stage trials
(iii) working towards the evolution of
individualised treatments
Liverpool ECMC
• ECMC status has been awarded to the University of
Liverpool (School of Cancer Studies and
Pharmacology) and the NHS partners of the Royal
Liverpool University Hospital and Clatterbridge
Centre for Oncology
• Is managed by the Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit.
• Supports world-class translational research both in
Liverpool and across the U.K
LECMC
• 52 studies adopted to date
• NIHR portfolio studies and commercially sponsored
studies across solid tumour and haematological
malignancy
• Translational work including bio-banking
• Focus is on better understanding of cancers,
developing better treatments with fewer side-effect
and a strategy to target cancer in low-income
communities where survival is lowest
Role of the ECMC Nurse
• Integration into existing clinical/research services
within trusts
• Setting up of research projects and in addition
educating both patients and other staff members in
current research practice
• To provide support and assistance to researchers in
coordinating and managing early phase research
Role of ECMC Nurse con
• To link with and collaborate with other health
professionals and other research agendas
• To provide quality care to patients and collection of
quality specimens for research purposes
• Administration of new treatments to patients
• To raise awareness of the important work of the
ECMC as a whole and more specifically the LECMC
Future Challenges
• As we enter an era where there is high expectation in
the provision of effective cancer drugs, the
development of new and better cancer treatments is
vital for public health
• The ECMC initiative is an essential step that will
ultimately lead to an improvement in the treatments
given to cancer patients
Future challenges con
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The challenges that present themselves within the
realm of experimental medicine remain vast:
The management of potentially fatal toxic sideeffects
Many ethical issues are raised within experimental
cancer medicine
Asking terminally ill patients to volunteer for
experimental drug trials remains extremely
emotive
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However the work of the ECMC offers
a very precious commodity – that of
hope!!
Any Questions?