A major research study is being launched by the Peritoneal Malignancy Institute at Hampshire Hospitals: the world’s leading treatment centre for this rare form of abdominal cancer.
It marks the first study of its type in the Institute’s 30-year history.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare cancer that originates in the appendix and then spreads throughout the peritoneal cavity – the space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, stomach, and liver.
Currently, treatment mainly involves cytoreductive surgery – a highly specialised procedure which takes around nine hours to perform and uses heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The five-year research study aims to explore how a patient’s post-operative prognosis may be improved through greater understanding of chemotherapy treatments as well as dosage in this area.
In this study, 176 participants over the age of 16 will be assigned to two different doses of chemotherapy; monitoring will aim to establish how the cancer responds as well as impacts of the chemotherapy on a patient’s quality of life.
The study, which is being carried out in partnership with the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, will also deliver valuable insight into the genetics of the disease, something which could assist in identifying more targeted treatment for patients.
Speaking about the peritoneal research programme, Mr Faheez Mohamed Consultant Surgeon (who along with Dr Sophia Stanford is leading the study) says:
“Through this important programme of research, we will ensure our pioneering work in the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei can make progress; gaining from insights and understanding that will aid innovation in treatment for our patients and so improving long term prognoses.”
Dr Sophia Stanford, Lead Scientist, says: “For more than 30 years, Hampshire Hospitals has led treatment for this rare yet extremely debilitating form of cancer; through our research we hope to propel treatment forward so that patients receive even more successful outcomes.
“I am extremely grateful to those patients who are taking part, we have worked for many years to establish this research study and thanks to their involvement this work can move into a crucial stage.”
As the world’s leading centre for the treatment of this form of cancer, carrying out around 500-operations annually, Hampshire Hospitals is well-placed to carry out this research which is designed and delivered in collaboration with the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit which is the coordinating centre for the trial.
Professor Gareth Griffiths, Director of the Southampton Clinical trials Unit and co-Investigator of the trial, says: “Our unit has a huge expertise in running large clinical trials in rare cancer types, and we are delighted to be partnering with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help increase our research knowledge of this disease and hopefully improve outcomes for patients.”
The research study is being sponsored by the University of Southampton, where the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit is based.
