People living with brain cancer are set to benefit from a faster route from research to treatment, following four steps announced by the Prime Minister today. This comes after the Prime Minister and Health Secretary met with Archie Goodburn, a 25-year-old swimmer with inoperable brain cancer, who had made an emotional plea on BBC Breakfast.
The announced steps include an immediate expert review, led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, which will report within three months. This review will assess changes for patients since a 2018 government review and identify ongoing barriers to progress. A national action plan will then be developed based on these findings to accelerate new treatments from the lab to patients.
Additionally, a new national brain cancer clinical lead will be appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care to drive this work. The Prime Minister has also requested that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) complete its review of rules for medicines treating rare conditions, known as orphan drugs, in two years instead of three, potentially bringing forward access to new treatments.
Patients, families, and charities will also contribute to designing a drive to increase participation in clinical trials. The Health and Social Care Secretary will host a roundtable with researchers, clinicians, and charities to explore new ways to boost involvement.