Christie Drug Trials

Most people like their rugs on the floor, but not everyone! Hanging this spectacular addition to a lovely home this week was a nice diversion from visits to the Christie in Manchester to talk about drug trials, where after much deliberation the final decision is REFRACT, a 50:50 randomised trial of Bispecific drug Epcoritamab versus 'standard of care', which for me would be Bendamustine (B&R).

I was about to start screening for a CAR-T versus Bendamustine trial but the timing slipped and was probably already too long for me to be well enough for cell infusion in January. That trial limits steroid use after cell collection and my kidney function has already needed help, so the Bispecific trial is the best bet. I'm still hoping CAR-T will be an option one day. Still lots of hurdles but at least there is a plan.

This is the reality of cancer treatment and the NHS. UK cancer care lags 20 years behind other European countries according to Macmillan. No doubt I would be on a bispecific drug already if I lived in the US. Plus I only have a 50:50 chance of getting it anyway! Bendamustine isnt a bad option, but that should just be a backup. This situation doesn't need more hospitals or more Drs, just give them the drugs that are already used elsewhere. As treatments not trials.