Cancer Research UK leads global lung cancer drug trial

Cancer Research UK scientists in Oxford are trialling an experimental drug to treat lung cancer patients who have stopped responding to initial chemotherapy treatment. The trial will take place at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.

The international early Phase II trial led by a team based at the Oxford Cancer Research Centre will test the experimental drug called LY2181308 with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who no longer respond to platinum chemotherapy - the standard initial treatment for this group.

LY2181308 blocks the ability of cancer cells to make a protein called survivin which instructs cells to grow - and crucially prevents cell death. This combination of “immortal” cells with uncontrolled growth leads to cancer. Raised levels of survivin are frequently found in tumors, and preventing its production kills cancer cells. It is rarely found in healthy tissue so the drug only targets cancerous cells - this is key in reducing side effects.