Very good news regarding Cancer treatment today

[CaptainK]

In Scotland, the screening is for 50 and over and has been for years. I was lucky in 2010 that i was referred for a colonoscopy after the test and they discovered a cancerous polyp and a sessile polyp in my bowel. Incidentally, my doctor was Professor Bob Steele who introduced the bowel screening programme. The polyp was removed and i elected for 6 monthly colonoscopies to check for any issues, then quite a few years later, I had the sessile one removed as it was discovered these could change to cancerous, and they had developed procedures to remove these safely. I'm now on 5 yearly checks. I'm glad however that I had treatment options, with one being to remove 1/2 my colon, but my cousin's husband was a bowel specialist and he talked me through to help me come to a decision.
I'd a great advocate as you can imagine for the screening programme.

Most folk don't like the embarassment of the procedure, but i had to suck that up as at the time I was the lecturer on Fire Safety in the Hospital and everyone knew who I was lol

Pete

Thankyou for sharing your story, and I'm glad to hear you came out well from it all

Good old Scotland, having it at 50 for years. Us in England, due to cost reasons in a bigger population, had it stuck at 60 for years. I'm not sure on the eventual timetable for England to get down to 60, I guess a couple more years as we not long ago shifted down to 56. By the time we're down to 50, Scotland will probably move it down to 45

 

[Roscobbc]

Yes Capt it was the cardboard 'thing'.
Back on prostate cancer. I'll recall the story of a work colleague from five years or so ago.
This guy was in his late 40's and a heavy duty health freak. He would run significantly long runs several times a week, visited the gym at 6am before work every day, would wear all the usual sporting related clothing and only eat 'health' food snacks and/or bring-in supposedly healthy meals to heat in the canteen micowave.
He would also spend plenty of time in the sun during summer (and in the tanning shop in winter) keeping-up his appearance - have to say physically he appeared in top shape looking bodily like someone 20 years younger. Some might have incorrectly thought that he was a narcassistic 'swordsman'. Nice enough bloke, but very much his own person. He must have been having constipation issues for some time, perhaps putting it down to his food intake. He visited his quack who initially dismissed him. Having healthcare insurance and following several months of these problems he was referred to a Nuffield hospital by his GP for a thorough check-up.
His PSA level was astronomical. A subsequent biopsy showed that he had advanced protate cancer and told that he needed radical surgery (removal) as it was so badly affected. Even though he was a very private person he confided in me, knowing that I had been in the 'same place' only a few years earlier.
He was in total shock and would have been in denial if not for the conclusive results from the recent scans and biopsy. Unable to believe that a person with his healthy lifestyle and food intake could get prostate cancer, and mentally struggling to accept it.
His PSA level remained high continually even after the prostate removal. He also seemed to accept the really poor follow-up and aftercare that followed from private healthcare. Yes, he was seen very quickly once he was referred by his GP but unlike NHS where suffers seem to get continual follow-up appointments and check-up's private healthcare really seems lacking for prostate suffers. The moral of this story is - if you are in your late 40's/early 50's ask your GP for a full healthcare check. If they refuse consider a 'Well Man' clinic........it could just save your life!

 

[antijam]

Was that the old "3 samples on a bit of cardboard" style kit that used to be sent out? If so, yes, that was a very inaccurate test and was effectively just looking for blood particle in your poo. I didn't work for the Bowel Cancer Programme when it started with that kit, but I'm told it was a cheap "value for money" way of finding out if you might have cancer. I've heard some horror stories of them in the labs that I best not repeat.

I well remember playing 'poo sticks' for many years. It did seem a bit hit and miss since quite often the lab would demand a retest as the results were inconclusive. An unfortunate side effect of the radiotherapy for my prostate cancer was that the tissue in the anal area was weakened and since I'm on other medication that as a side effect induces severe constipation, motions after 'heavy straining' are contaminated with local bleeding so the 'cardboard' test became inappropriate. Sometimes fate seems to give with one hand and take with the other. I'm well outside the age window for bowel cancer screening now so if I've got it I'll probably die with it rather than from it.
Interesting how many of us can personally relate experiences with cancer. Hopefully this thread has reinforced the huge potential benefits of testing to detect any cancer in the early stages - treatment of most cancers is significantly more successful if caught early. In middle age even if there are no obvious symptoms, if a test is available - take it.

 

[Chevrolet]

I am currently undergoing treatment for a rather advanced prostrate cancer which was diagnosed shortly after I stood down from Club Chairman. Unfortunately it has moved into other parts of my body. C'est la vie.
I would urge any of you in the risk profile to get a PSA test. The earlier it is detected, the better. I didn't show any symptoms, but it was there.

Very sorry to hear that Rich. Haven't read all of the above, but have PSA test on my list of things to do. The NHS are also doing lung screening in some areas. Was asking the doctor about that the other week. Mainly in high risk areas at the mo I think? Aso have an Icletest to do:

.

 

[Rich]

Thanks, Pete. Hope the tests are OK.

 

[Forrest Gump]

Spurred on by reading this thread and from my wife telling me, I went for a prostate check yesterday for the first time.

I’m 52 and have no symptom, but now that I’m within the “risk window” I decided it would be a good thing to do.
The check took barely a minute and was not uncomfortable, no big deal at all really. If anything I was feeling sorry for the doctor having to do this at 8-30 in the morning!
The doctor confirmed all was normal, I’m pleased I had it done.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Spurred on by reading this thread and from my wife telling me, I went for a prostate check yesterday for the first time.

I’m 52 and have no symptom, but now that I’m within the “risk window” I decided it would be a good thing to do.
The check took barely a minute and was not uncomfortable, no big deal at all really. If anything I was feeling sorry for the doctor having to do this at 8-30 in the morning!
The doctor confirmed all was normal, I’m pleased I had it done.

Did they also take blood to measure your PSA?

 

[Forrest Gump]

Did they also take blood to measure your PSA?

No. Doctor said that wouldn’t normally be done if the examination was clear and there were no other symptoms.

 

[Chevrolet]

Prostate cancer - PSA testing

There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.

www.nhs.uk

 

[Roscobbc]

Prostate cancer - PSA testing

There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.

www.nhs.uk

Hmmmmm - try discussing that analogy with the suffers of secondary cancers caused by non-diagnosis of protate cancer.

 

[Chevrolet]

Seen on my local neighbourhood info board today.

 

[Tadek]

I am currently undergoing treatment for a rather advanced prostrate cancer which was diagnosed shortly after I stood down from Club Chairman. Unfortunately it has moved into other parts of my body. C'est la vie.
I would urge any of you in the risk profile to get a PSA test. The earlier it is detected, the better. I didn't show any symptoms, but it was there.

Hello Rich, I'm not a frequent visitor to this site. Was looking for recommendations as to where I can get Michelin tyres for my C5 Z06 (265/40 zr 17) USA is the only market.
Sadly came across this forum and found out the bad news about your health, hard to believe that you have the dreaded cancer, we recently lost our son-in-law (51) to a brain tumour. Could not get to see his doctor due to C-19 and the delay only gave him 4 months.
Verna and I wish you all the best in your health, keep fighting and stay positive. Best wishes Tadek

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Well just returned from a 3 day tour of Scotland to find my results of poop-in-a-box waiting and all clear so looking forward to a Summer of Corvette fun

 

[Maxxx17]

I reread the whole topic from beginning to end and got a lot of good emotions at the same time, even had to smile a little at the monitor. But some of the posts also made me think. I am young, but I already have problems with obesity and as a consequence, problems with the cardiovascular system. I even had a heart attack. Now I should probably get tested for malignant tumors. If I had caught this article a couple of days earlier. I just got back from the hospital, was undergoing treatment and got coupons for atorvastatin, and could have done everything at the same time. But life has already taught me that health jokes are bad, so the other day I need to plan a trip to the doctors. I advise everyone who suspects something or feels not quite well, go to the doctor and just take a blood test. And this news is really wonderful. Because I'm sure a lot of people have extra hope for recovery.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Later in Feb the company I mentioned - Avacta are hosting a science day and as well as investors have invited the best Oncologists from around the world to comment on the trial data so far. As well as a reduction in chemo side affects seen in the human trials so far the mouse trials showed remarkable tumour size reduction with much less toxicity and that could be the holy grail in humans

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Time to update this thread following an update by Avacta on the in-person Cancer trials going on both here in the UK and in America on end-of-life patients and it seems very pertinent given the recent loss of several members due to this awful disease.

A recap: Chemo drugs have been in use for nearly 50 years in limited doses due to the chemo drug toxicity and harm caused to other organs especially the heart. In some cases, people with underlying health issues are excluded from chemo due to the inherent risks. A patient has a maximum tolerated lifetime dose due to the toxicity of the ‘red devil’

Avacta have taken existing and very effective chemo drugs and installed a delivery method that renders the chemo drug inert while it circulates the body seeking out the tumour which expresses itself with an enzyme – FAP. The chemo drug locates then enters the tumour and activates in the tumour limiting the amount of free-flowing chemo in the rest of the body reducing its toxic damage elsewhere. The current trials are to check the safety profile only with the next phase of the trial looking into effectiveness. In today’s update it would seem that some terminally ill patients have been on this latest trial (5th Cohort or group) for 10 months and are showing signs that their cancer is not progressing further and ALL side effects have been much reduced or even eliminated which will be truly ground breaking. The same goes for patients in earlier cohorts so it could be that already their lives have been extended for a year or more!


News | Avacta Life Sciences Limited

Today 07:00

RNS Number : 3595D

Avacta Group PLC

21 June 2023

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

21 June 2023

Avacta Group plc

("Avacta" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiary undertakings, the "Group")

Successful Completion of Fifth Dose Escalation in AVA6000 Phase 1 Clinical Study

Very positive safety profile of AVA6000 continues to be observed in the fifth cohort

Several patients remain on trial in different dose cohorts and continue to receive AVA6000 as their disease has not progressed

Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a life sciences company developing innovative, targeted oncology drugs and powerful diagnostics, today announces that the fifth dose escalation cohort in the ALS-6000-101 dose escalation Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of AVA6000 has been completed successfully. The data continue to show a very favourable safety profile for the tumour targeted chemotherapy and several patients in cohort 5 and earlier cohorts remain on treatment as their disease has not progressed.

AVA6000 is a form of doxorubicin that has been chemically modified with Avacta's pre|CISIONTM platform designed to reduce systemic side effects by targeting the release of active chemotherapy in tumour tissue. Despite the high dose level in the fifth cohort which is approximately 2.25 times a typical dose of doxorubicin, AVA6000 has continued to be well tolerated by patients with a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of the typical toxicities associated with the standard doxorubicin chemotherapy administration.

The emerging positive safety and pharmacokinetic data from the study support the potential clinical differentiation of AVA6000 over doxorubicin. This includes: (i) higher dosing of AVA6000 compared to standard doxorubicin, (ii) more frequent dosing of AVA6000 compared to doxorubicin - doxorubicin is typically dosed every three weeks in order for patients to recover from the side effects of treatment, (iii) the ability to administer many more cycles of AVA6000 compared to doxorubicin.

A total of 29 patients with a range of advanced and/or metastatic solid tumours have now been dosed at the clinical trial in sites in the UK and United States. On the basis of the very favourable safety profile of AVA6000 in the study to date, the Safety Data Monitoring Committee (SDMC) has recommended continuation to the sixth dose cohort at 310 mg/m2, which is equivalent to 2.7 times the standard dose of doxorubicin. This continued dose escalation is aimed at identifying a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) necessary to inform the dosing levels for the Phase 1b and future studies.

Dr Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group plc commented:

"The continued positive safety profile of AVA6000 at these dose levels compared with standard doxorubicin is remarkable. We are seeing a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of all doxorubicin side effects. Analysis of the tumour biopsies to date also confirms that enough doxorubicin is being released in the tumour to have a therapeutic effect. If even higher doses of AVA6000 are tolerated then this may make a significant difference to the outcomes for patients in the upcoming efficacy study.

"We are keen to progress onto the Phase 1b efficacy study as soon as possible following completion of the dose finding Phase 1a study. The dose expansion Phase 1b study will provide an initial evaluation of efficacy and of the relative improvement in patient outcomes and quality of life of different dosing regimens of AVA6000 compared with the standard doxorubicin regimen."

 

[Pitre]

This is positive news and really encouraging and potentially very important for all of us. Thanks for the update Stuart

 

[Mr. Cricket]

There was a company update today on all aspects of the business and the various trials going on and one answer to a question on the AVA6000 Human Cancer trails currently taking place. An independent clinician remarked that with the complete lack of the usual side effects "you wouldn't know the patients were receiving Chemotherapy!"

Chemo without the horrific side effects even when they are dosing 2.8 times higher than the usual chemo dose. That's pretty remarkable and what it also means is the existing chemo dosing of 3 weeks between doses because of the toxicity and side effects can be reduced to a much shorter pause - maybe even just one week so the attack on the tumour site is maintained.

Exciting.

 

[Pitre]

Exciting news indeed.
Is there any timescale proposed or mooted for completion of trials etc before this may become available generally Stuart?

 

[Mr. Cricket]

The existing safety trial 1a ongoing is to try and establish the MTD - Maximum Tolerated Dose which they expected to find within the first three cohorts or groups of patients. They didn't find it (higher is better) so were instructed by the trial overseeing group to move to cohort 4 with an even higher dose, then 5 where they are currently at. They haven't found the MTD again so it looks like moving onto cohort 6 maybe even 7. They have said that they may never find a MTD so at some point they will agree with the independent overseers that there would be no greater therapeutic effect in continuing on so they then make a call on the dose levels they have achieved to date and set that as the benchmark. Basically they are increasing the chemo dose to try and find harmful traces that may be circulating in the blood or discharged in urine and they haven't seen this yet. Very good clearly..

The next phase of the trial 1b focusses in on the efficacy or what is happening with the cancer? Growth stopped, reduced, gone??

The fact that they have already seen improvements to end of life patients lifespan, tumour regression and improved quality of life even though that wasn't part of this trails aim suggests that 1b could be a formality.

More so in the States they have the ability (law) to say we've seen enough evidence and give it early fast track approval to be used as the main point of care and that could come at any time.