Articles by Gurdip Thandi

Birmingham study into rare form of skin cancer gives hope to patients

A new study carried out in Birmingham has given hope to people who suffer from a rare form of skin cancer. Researchers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), a leading centre for the PROCLIPI Study, have contributed to new findings showing that patients with Cutaneous (skin) T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) experienced improved overall survival when treated with mogamulizumab, known by its brand name Poteligeo. CTCL is a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells and affects the skin, causing rashes and slightly raised or scaly round patches. READ MORE: Mixed reaction as hundreds give their views on proposed changes to a major Birmingham road The most common types are mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, with around 150 people diagnosed in the UK each year. Most experience only a mild, non life-threatening form which can be managed for years, while a smaller number develop a more serious form. Treatments may either target the skin directly, using creams, light therapy, or radiotherapy, or work throughout the body, given as tablets or injections that circulate in the blood to reach all areas. Poteligeo is a prescription medicine given by injection into a vein to treat mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome in adults whose disease has returned or who have not responded to one other treatment. Alexandra Mars, a 51-year-old patient at QEHB who has taken part in the study, said: "I have had tumour mycosis fungoides for over 10 years. "I was most recently treated with mogamulizumab for two years and had no significant side effects. "It appears to have put my disease to sleep, and I have not been on any medication since February. It is amazing to finally be able to have a break from treatment, which is so tiring, and not have to think about this disease." The international PROCLIPI Study has been ongoing for 10 years and have involved 2,547 patients across 19 countries. The latest research confirmed that patients with advanced-stage disease treated with Poteligeo experienced improved overall survival, with a median overall survival of 64 months compared to 54 months for patients who did not receive the treatment. Professor Julia Scarisbrick, Consultant Dermatologist at QEHB and Chief Investigator of the PROCLIPI Study, said: "The PROCLIPI Study demonstrates the power of global collaboration in rare diseases. "By bringing together data from across the world, we can generate insights that simply wouldn't be possible in isolation. "We are proud to coordinate this initiative here in Birmingham in partnership with Prof Kim at Stanford University, California, as we're working to build rigorous scientific evidence while giving patients and their families a better understanding of what long-term survival looks like."

4 days ago