New two-pronged attack beating ‘incurable’ blood cancer offers new hope for lymphocytic leukaemia patients

A new ‘two-pronged-attack’ combination drug therapy could provide a lifeline to thousands of patients in the UK battling incurable blood cancer.

Until now, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, also known as CLL, one of the most common types of blood cancer in adults, have been forced to endure repeated rounds of gruelling chemotherapy to keep their symptoms at bay.

Currently, over 4,600 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK. In the majority of cases, the treatment eventually becomes ineffective and nearly 1,000 die annually.

The new trial recruited 54 patients between the ages of 20 and 80. All had previously received chemotherapy treatment and been in remission before their cancer returned. They were initially given a dose of the targeted drug ibrutinib each day for two months. A daily dose was then added of venetoclax, a type of chemotherapy.

The results have so far been astounding. After two years, 20 patients showed no signs of cancer in their bodies and were able to stop treatment

Lead investigator Professor Peter Hillmen from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said “The response rates we have seen have far exceeded what we had expected. The fact that some patients have already been able to come off treatment and leukaemia-free is very encouraging and we hope more will soon be able to do the same.

“We can’t find chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in their blood or bone marrow.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738