Latest news with #FlairTrial
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
UK-wide drug trial hailed as a ‘milestone' in leukaemia treatment
A groundbreaking UK-wide trial has found a chemotherapy-free approach to treating leukaemia that may lead to better outcomes for some patients, with the results being hailed as a 'milestone'. Led by researchers from Leeds, results from the Flair trial, which took place at 96 cancer centres across the UK, could reshape the way the most common form of leukaemia in adults is treated, scientists said. The trial set out to assess whether two targeted cancer drugs could perform better than standard chemotherapy among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It involved 786 people with previously untreated CLL who were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy, a single targeted drug, ibrutinib, or two targeted drugs taken together, ibrutinib and venetoclax. Treatment was guided by personalised blood tests. The trial found that after five years 94% of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. This compares with 79% for those on ibrutinib alone and 58% for those on standard chemotherapy, according to the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented to the European Haematology Association congress in Milan, Italy. Meanwhile, 66% of patients on the combined drugs had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, compared with none of the people who received ibrutinib alone and 48% on chemotherapy. Ibrutinib is a type of drug known as a cancer growth blocker. It works by stopping signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. Venetoclax blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells. The combined-drug regime was also tolerated better than traditional treatments, according to experts. Dr Talha Munir, a consultant haematologist at Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust who led the study said: 'Flair trial is a milestone. We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients. 'By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we're moving into an era of truly personalised medicine.' Dr Iain Foulkes, the executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, which funded the trial along with the drug companies AbbVie, and Johnson & Johnson, said: 'The results show we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones. 'We're hopeful that the results of the Flair trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers at in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial.' CLL is the most common form of leukaemia in adults. It affects white blood cells, breaking down the body's ability to fight infection. About 4,000 people are diagnosed with CLL in the UK every year. Catherine Whitfield, 63, from Farnley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with CLL in 2018 signed up to the trial, which was coordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK clinical trials unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the university. She said: 'After three years of treatment, I am still MRD [minimal residual disease] negative – that means no cancer cells.'
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Chemo-free 'milestone' for leukaemia: Groundbreaking UK trial could reshape future treatment for cancer patients
Scientists have hailed a 'milestone' in leukaemia care for patients after a UK trial found a chemotherapy-free approach to treatment may lead to better outcomes for some patients. The groundbreaking UK-wide trial could reshape the way the most common form of leukaemia in adults is treated. Researchers from Leeds wanted to assess whether two targeted cancer drugs could perform better than standard chemotherapy among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). They led the Flair trial, which took place at 96 cancer centres across the UK. Some 786 people with previously untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy; a single targeted drug, ibrutinib, or two targeted drugs taken together, ibrutinib and venetoclax, with treatment guided by personalised blood tests. They found that after five years, 94 per cent of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. This compares with 79 per cent for those on ibrutinib alone and 58 per cent for those on standard chemotherapy, according to the study, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented to the European Haematology Association congress in Milan, Italy. Meanwhile 66 per cent of patients on the new combination had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, compared with none of the people who received ibrutinib alone and 48 per cent on chemotherapy. Ibrutinib is a type of drug known as a cancer growth blocker. It works by stopping signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. And venetoclax blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells. Experts said that the new treatment regime was also tolerated better than traditional treatments. Dr Talha Munir, consultant haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who led the study said: 'Flair trial is a milestone. We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients. 'By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we're moving into an era of truly personalised medicine.' Catherine Whitfield, 63, from Farnley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with CLL in 2018 after she noticed symptoms including bleeding gums, constant illness and neck pain. She signed up to the trial, which was co-ordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the University of Leeds. She said: 'After three years of treatment, I am still MRD negative - that means no cancer cells.' 'I lost my husband to cancer. I have seen how hard it could be. 'My first thought after my diagnosis was, I will never see my grandchildren being born and growing up. 'Now I have two grandchildren, Drew and Alaia, and they are a delight and highlight the joys of a healthy life'. Ms Whitfield added: 'The way this trial was explained, it just made sense. 'Also, the thought of chemotherapy was scary to me. The trial felt right. And it was.' Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, which funded the trial along with AbbVie, and Johnson and Johnson, said: 'The results of the Flair trial show that we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones. 'We're hopeful that the results of the Flair trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers at in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial.' Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common form of leukaemia in adults. There are about 4,000 new CLL cases in the UK every year.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Milestone' treatment could reshape future leukaemia care
A UK trial has found that a chemotherapy-free approach to treatment may lead to better outcomes for some leukaemia patients, in what scientists are calling a "milestone". The groundbreaking UK-wide trial could reshape the way the most common form of leukaemia in adults is treated. Researchers from Leeds assessed whether two targeted cancer drugs could perform better than standard chemotherapy among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common form of leukaemia in adults, with about 4,000 new cases recorded in the UK every year. The Flair trial, which took place at 96 cancer centres across the UK, saw 786 people with previously untreated CLL randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy; a single targeted drug, ibrutinib, or two targeted drugs taken together, ibrutinib and venetoclax, with treatment guided by personalised blood tests. Researchers found that after five years, 94 per cent of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. This compares with 79 per cent for those on ibrutinib alone and 58 per cent for those on standard chemotherapy, according to the study, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented to the European Haematology Association congress in Milan, Italy. Meanwhile, 66 per cent of patients on the new combination had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, compared with none of the people who received ibrutinib alone and 48 per cent on chemotherapy. Ibrutinib is a type of drug known as a cancer growth blocker, which works by stopping signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow, and venetoclax blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells. Experts said that the new treatment regime was also tolerated better than traditional treatments. Dr Talha Munir, consultant haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who led the study, said the Flair trial is a 'milestone'. 'We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients,' she said. 'By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we're moving into an era of truly personalised medicine.' Catherine Whitfield, 63, from Farnley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with CLL in 2018 after she noticed symptoms including bleeding gums, constant illness and neck pain. She signed up for the trial, which was coordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the University of Leeds. 'After three years of treatment, I am still MRD negative – that means no cancer cells,' she said. 'I lost my husband to cancer. I have seen how hard it could be. 'My first thought after my diagnosis was, I will never see my grandchildren being born and growing up. 'Now I have two grandchildren, Drew and Alaia, and they are a delight and highlight the joys of a healthy life'. Ms Whitfield added: 'The way this trial was explained, it just made sense. Also, the thought of chemotherapy was scary to me. The trial felt right. And it was.' Many people who have chronic lymphocytic leukaemia do not have any symptoms, but the main ones include: swollen glands, usually in your neck or under your arms losing weight getting ill a lot feeling tired even though you've had a good night's sleep a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it, similar to meningitis bleeding or bruising for no reason looking unusually pale and feeling breathless a high temperature even though you're not unwell aches and pains that will not go away sweating at night Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, which funded the trial along with AbbVie, and Johnson and Johnson, said: 'The results of the Flair trial show that we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones. 'We're hopeful that the results of the Flair trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers at in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial.'
Sky News
13 hours ago
- Health
- Sky News
New leukaemia treatment hailed as 'milestone' in cancer management
A combination of targeted drugs, offering a chemotherapy-free approach to leukaemia, have been hailed a "milestone" in cancer care by scientists following a groundbreaking UK trial. Potentially offering better outcomes for some patients as well as being more tolerable, it could reshape the way chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) - the most common form of leukaemia in adults - is treated. The Flair trial took place at 96 cancer centres across the UK. Researchers from Leeds wanted to assess whether two targeted cancer drugs could perform better than standard chemotherapy among patients with CLL. Some 786 people with previously untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy; a single targeted drug, ibrutinib, or two targeted drugs taken together, ibrutinib and venetoclax, with treatment guided by personalised blood tests. Ibrutinib is a type of drug known as a cancer growth blocker. It works by stopping signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. Venetoclax blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells. Researchers found that after five years, 94% of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. That compared with 79% for those on ibrutinib alone and 58% for those on standard chemotherapy, according to the study, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented to the European Haematology Association congress in Milan, Italy. Meanwhile 66% of patients on the new combination had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, compared with none of the people who received ibrutinib alone and 48% on chemotherapy. Experts said that the new treatment regime was also tolerated better than traditional treatments. 'An era of truly personalised medicine' Dr Talha Munir, consultant haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who led the study said: "Flair trial is a milestone. "We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients. "By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we're moving into an era of truly personalised medicine." Catherine Whitfield, 63, from Farnley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with CLL in 2018 after she noticed symptoms including bleeding gums, constant illness and neck pain. She signed up to the trial, which was coordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the University of Leeds. She said: "After three years of treatment, I am still MRD negative - that means no cancer cells. "I lost my husband to cancer. I have seen how hard it could be. "My first thought after my diagnosis was, I will never see my grandchildren being born and growing up. "Now I have two grandchildren, Drew and Alaia, and they are a delight and highlight the joys of a healthy life." 'Kinder, more targeted treatment' Ms Whitfield added: "The way this trial was explained, it just made sense. "Also, the thought of chemotherapy was scary to me. The trial felt right. And it was." Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, which funded the trial along with AbbVie, and Johnson and Johnson, said: "The results of the Flair trial show that we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones. "We're hopeful that the results of the Flair trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial." CLL is the most common form of leukaemia in adults, affecting the blood and bone marrow. While it cannot usually be cured, it can be managed with treatment.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
New leukaemia treatment hailed as ‘milestone' for patients
Scientists have hailed a 'milestone' in leukaemia care for patients after a UK trial found a chemotherapy-free approach to treatment may lead to better outcomes for some patients. The groundbreaking UK-wide trial could reshape the way the most common form of leukaemia in adults is treated. Researchers from Leeds wanted to assess whether two targeted cancer drugs could perform better than standard chemotherapy among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). They led the Flair trial, which took place at 96 cancer centres across the UK. Some 786 people with previously untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy; a single targeted drug, ibrutinib, or two targeted drugs taken together, ibrutinib and venetoclax, with treatment guided by personalised blood tests. They found that after five years, 94% of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. This compares with 79% for those on ibrutinib alone and 58% for those on standard chemotherapy, according to the study, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented to the European Haematology Association congress in Milan, Italy. Meanwhile 66% of patients on the new combination had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, compared with none of the people who received ibrutinib alone and 48% on chemotherapy. Ibrutinib is a type of drug known as a cancer growth blocker. It works by stopping signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. And venetoclax blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells. Experts said that the new treatment regime was also tolerated better than traditional treatments. Dr Talha Munir, consultant haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who led the study said: 'Flair trial is a milestone. 'We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients. 'By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we're moving into an era of truly personalised medicine.' Catherine Whitfield, 63, from Farnley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with CLL in 2018 after she noticed symptoms including bleeding gums, constant illness and neck pain. She signed up to the trial, which was co-ordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the University of Leeds. She said: 'After three years of treatment, I am still MRD negative – that means no cancer cells.' 'I lost my husband to cancer. I have seen how hard it could be. 'My first thought after my diagnosis was, I will never see my grandchildren being born and growing up. 'Now I have two grandchildren, Drew and Alaia, and they are a delight and highlight the joys of a healthy life'. Ms Whitfield added: 'The way this trial was explained, it just made sense. 'Also, the thought of chemotherapy was scary to me. The trial felt right. And it was.' Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, which funded the trial along with AbbVie, and Johnson and Johnson, said: 'The results of the Flair trial show that we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones. 'We're hopeful that the results of the Flair trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers at in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial.' Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common form of leukaemia in adults. There are about 4,000 new CLL cases in the UK every year.
