Trial of lung cancer drug begins in Oxford

The protein survivin is frequently found at raised levels in tumours. The new drug being trialled in Oxford blocks the production of the protein. A trial of a novel drug to treat lung cancer patients who have stopped responding to initial chemotherapy treatment is to be led by Oxford scientists. The early-stage trial will look at the use of the new drug in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who no longer respond to platinum chemotherapy - the standard initial treatment for this group. This is one of the first trials taking place at the new Oxford Cancer Research Centre, a partnership which brings together the University of Oxford, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals and Cancer Research UK. Survival rates for all types of lung cancer are still low. Fewer than 10 per cent of lung cancer patients survive the disease beyond five years after diagnosis.