A clinical trial designed to test existing drugs in the treatment of a rare blood cancer has been launched at the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham.

Funded by Blood Cancer UK, the trial seeks to repurpose existing drugs to improve the outlook, health and quality of life for people with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a condition in which the patient does not have enough healthy blood cells.

Called REPAIR-MDS (Repurposed drugs to improve haematological responses in Myelodysplastic Syndrome), the trial will test a number of treatments designed to improve the formation of healthy blood cells, reducing or reversing life-limiting deficiencies in red blood cells. The trial is expected to begin recruiting patients in May 2021.

Professor Janet Dunn, Head of Cancer Trials at Warwick Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick, says: “It’s an important trial for these patients as currently treatment options are limited. We are excited to be working closely with Birmingham and the patient groups, in particular Sophie Wintrich who is CEO from the MDS UK patient support group.”

Professor Chris Bunce, in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, who led the application to Blood Cancer UK and whose research contributed to the design of the trial treatments, says: “REPAIR-MDS represents a significant turning point in UK medical research. It is the first ever UK randomised trial delivered in this neglected patient group, establishing the precedent for future trials in the UK and elsewhere.”

Although rare, MDS is estimated to be more prevalent in older people, over 70 years old. There is currently no cure for the disease and treatment is usually chemotherapy-based, although in some cases a stem cell transplant may be possible.

Dr Fatima Sulaiman, Head of Research for Blood Cancer UK added: “Blood Cancer UK are really excited to be supporting this trial. We believe that within the next generation, we’ll be able to beat all types of blood cancer, and this trial will take us one step closer to doing this.

“Sadly, only 31% of people diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) survive 5-years, and we urgently need better treatments. Being able to repurpose existing drugs for people with MDS would mean we would be able to get new treatments to people, sooner, giving everyone the best possible chance of survival.

“Anyone worried about blood cancer can call our free and confidential helpline on 0808 2080 888.”

The project is a national effort by the UK MDS research community and will recruit patients from across the UK. The trial was developed by the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) MDS clinical studies sub-group and has arisen from research carried out in the School of Biosciences and the School of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham led by Professor Bunce. It will be carried out in collaboration with Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

The funding of REPAIR-MDS by Blood Cancer UK has been made possible by a donation made in open competition to the charity from the Jon Moulton Charity Trust.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.

26 October 2020

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