A pioneering clinical trial platform has been launched in the UK to accelerate the development of new treatments for glioblastoma, an aggressive and challenging-to-treat form of brain cancer. The "next-Generation aGile Genomically Guided Glioma platform trial," also known as the 5G platform trial, is funded by Cancer Research UK and the Minderoo Foundation, each committing £1.68 million (£3.36 million total).
Adaptive Design for Rapid Treatment Evaluation
The 5G platform trial employs an adaptive design, allowing researchers to modify treatment regimens based on real-time data collection. This flexibility enables the evaluation of multiple drugs and drug combinations across different patient groups within a shorter timeframe. The trial represents a significant advancement in the approach to brain cancer research, where progress has been slow despite numerous clinical trials.
Genomic Sequencing for Personalized Therapy
A key feature of the 5G platform trial is the use of whole-genome sequencing for every patient. This comprehensive genetic analysis aims to identify specific characteristics of each tumor, enabling researchers to target treatments with greater precision. The hope is that this personalized approach will improve treatment efficacy and outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.
Addressing an Unmet Need
Glioblastoma is the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in adults, accounting for approximately 32% of primary brain tumors diagnosed in England between 1995 and 2017. However, due to the unique biology of the brain, developing effective treatments has been challenging. The 5G platform trial seeks to address this unmet need by adopting a novel approach to drug development and patient selection.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Juanita Lopez from the Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a co-lead on the trial, emphasized the need for new treatment options for glioblastoma, stating, "We have seen progress made in better treating many types of cancer in recent decades, but less so in brain cancers like glioblastoma. The 5G platform trial presents a unique opportunity to work in new and exciting ways to find better treatment options for this patient population."
Dr. Richard Mair, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and co-lead of the Brain Cancer Virtual Institute at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, added, "Brain cancers like glioblastoma are notoriously difficult to treat. The use of whole genome sequencing for every patient on the trial performed in ‘real time’ enables us to be both agile and precise in our drug targeting. We hope that this approach will help patients with this cancer of unmet need."
Collaborative Effort
The 5G platform trial is sponsored by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and conducted by the Joint Drug Development Unit at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The trial involves researchers at the Cancer Research UK-funded ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) and is supported by the National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) at the Royal Marsden and the ICR. It is taking place in partnership with the Minderoo Precision Brain Tumor Programme, which is sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. Pharmaceutical industry partners will provide the drugs used in the study.
