The terrifying reality faced by many cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy is about to be tackled head-on by a new drug trial. Poolbeg Pharma's oral treatment, POLB 001, aims to prevent cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially fatal side-effect that can strike when the immune system overreacts and attacks healthy organs. According to NHS data, up to 70% of patients receiving certain cancer immunotherapies can develop CRS, which often begins with flu-like symptoms before escalating to life-threatening levels.
The trial will involve 30 patients at six NHS hospitals across Britain, who will be receiving Johnson & Johnson's teclistamab treatment for blood cancers. Led by the University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, the study aims to assess POLB 001's effectiveness in controlling the immune system and preventing CRS. Patients will start taking the new drug at home before their cancer treatment begins, with interim data expected by summer's end.
NHS specialists warn that current treatments for CRS can be unpredictable and often require patients to travel to specialist hospitals – a challenge exacerbated by rural-urban disparities in access to care. A successful trial could revolutionise cancer immunotherapy delivery, allowing community hospitals to administer treatment and potentially saving the NHS millions of pounds. According to Poolbeg Pharma's estimates, their new drug could capture a £7.9 billion market share if proven effective.
Preliminary data suggests that patients undergoing immunotherapies can be at risk of developing CRS as soon as 1 in 3 times. This alarming statistic highlights the pressing need for innovative treatments like POLB 001, which have the potential to reduce treatment costs significantly and increase capacity for patient care nationwide.
As Poolbeg Pharma continues to advance medical innovations, their focus on addressing significant health challenges is clear. The company's collaboration with Irish firm AnaBio Technologies on a weight loss pill is set to begin an early-stage trial later this year, further underscoring their commitment to transforming healthcare through cutting-edge research and development.
Jeremy Skillington, Poolbeg Pharma's chief executive, notes the transformative potential of POLB 001 in enabling cancer immunotherapy delivery in community hospitals. By preventing CRS, the company hopes to not only improve patient outcomes but also alleviate pressure on specialist centres and reduce treatment costs for NHS patients.