A new blood cancer treatment could extend remission by seven months, according to the findings of a trial involving Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The trial, led by the University of Leeds and funded by Stand up to Cancer, Cancer research UK and Takeda Oncology, has tested treatment in which patients underwent a second stem cell transplant from their own bone marrow.
The findings of the ‘UK Myeloma Research Alliance Myeloma XII (ACCoRd) trial’, show this treatment resulted in extended disease-free survival by seven months compared to regular treatment.
Professor John Snowden, co-author of the study, and Honorary Consultant Haematologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “It was very special that Sheffield Teaching Hospitals were able to make a major contribution to the recruitment and completion of this important clinical trial, which confirmed benefits for patients with relapsed myeloma by providing them with significantly improved length of remission.
“We continue to work closely with the Leeds clinical trials team to improve survival and quality of life in patients with myeloma.”
Myeloma is a blood cancer that accounts for 1 in 50 new cancer diagnoses in the UK, often treated with a transplant of stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow.
This new treatment could extend remissions for patients by more than half a year on average.
Shirley Stewart, 57, is one of the patients who has benefited from this trial, with her myeloma returning in 2021:
“Myeloma is a really hard illness, and people often suffer a long time before getting a diagnosis. I was starting to slow down due to ill health, but being on the trial has made a world of difference. I take a tablet every three Fridays a month and on the fourth I have a rest, and it’s been suppressing my myeloma cells ever since.
“I can’t put it into words what it means to me. It’s given me the chance to see my children through adulthood. The team at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital have been amazing.”
The trial took place in 79 hospitals across the UK, with researchers saying the results present an alternative treatment option for patients who are well enough to go through a second bone marrow transplant.