Children’s oncology research team celebrate recruitment success

Congratulations to the paediatric oncology research team who have achieved two patient recruitment milestones in their neuroblastoma research.

The team have successfully recruited the first two patients to the national My-CRA 13 (Cis Retinoic Acid) study for patients with neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that affects children, mostly under the age of 5 years old. It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby’s development in the womb. Neuroblastoma often starts in the abdomen, commonly in the adrenal glands or in nerve tissue.

The My-CRA 13 study is trialling a new liquid formulation of 13-CRA, one of the drugs used to treat neuroblastoma. The study will compare this new formulation against existing gelatin capsules, which younger children often cannot swallow.

The team are also the highest recruiters in the UK for the BEACON trial. The Cancer Research UK supported European study is investigating the use of bevacizumab, temozolomide, irinotecan and topotecan for neuroblastoma that isn’t responding to first line treatment or has come back. 

Dr Guy Makin, Honorary Consultant Paediatric Oncology and Principal Investigator for both studies added:

This is a fantastic achievement for the paediatric oncology research team. Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that affects young children and in many cases can return despite intensive treatment. Through delivering studies like this, we hope to improve treatment and outcomes for our patients.

The MY-CRA 13 study is sponsored by Nova  Laboratories Limited and both studies are supported by the NIHR Greater Manchester Clinical Research Network.