Most patients who are accepted onto an experimental trial at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre have terminal cancer having exhausted more traditional treatments. The trial drugs give hope and a last chance to extend their life. Some patients go on a trial knowing from the outset that their treatment will not benefit them – but the information gained from their participation will help someone facing cancer in the future.
As Sir Bobby put it, they are “utterly selfless and brave”.
Each case is different with bespoke drugs carefully targeting the cancer, often at a genetic level. Some patients have been taking trial drugs for two decades, hugely extending their lives, others may not be so fortunate or have gone on to receive drugs on different trials. As a result of the knowledge and data gathered, and the collaboration with academics and scientists from the cancer research community, the team have rolled out two drugs commercially at a global level helping thousands of people around the world, with even more in the pipeline.
