The University of Dundee and NHS Tayside have successfully recruited the first patient in the UK to a clinical trial that aims to improve treatments for a sub-group of patients affected by an aggressive blood cancer.

Led by Cardiff University, the OPTIMISE-FLT3 study officially opened for recruitment in February, marking what the co-chief investigators have called “a significant step forward” in evaluating new strategies for treating FLT3-mutuated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

This type of leukaemia is found in about one-third of AML patients, and the mutation of the FLT3 gene – which plays a vital role in the development and function of blood cells – often leads to a poor prognosis and high relapse risk which occurs in some 40-50% of intensively treated patients. 

However, advancements in targeted therapies like FLT3 inhibitors, capable of specifically blocking the activity of the mutated FLT3 protein, are improving outcomes.

Ninewells hospital in Dundee is proud to be the first UK site to achieve recruitment to the new OPTIMISE study which is extending that drive for solutions.

While separate studies have identified beneficial therapeutic strategies, these approaches have not yet been optimally combined.

OPTIMISE-FLT3 seeks to improve clinical outcomes by identifying the best combination of these strategies, while simultaneously evaluating next generation sequencing-based methods to track the mutation.

Patients who choose to enrol in the study will be randomised to one of the three treatment schedules with the response of the leukaemia measured by blood and bone marrow tests.

Co-Chief investigators Professor Steven Knapper and Dr. Richard Dillon from the sponsor, Cardiff University, expressed their gratitude to all participating sites and teams for their “dedication in bringing this important research to life”.

Further singling out the work at Ninewells, they added “a huge thank you to the Ninewells team” led by Principal Investigator, Dr Sudhir Tauro, Research nurses Jane Geoghegan and Shona Singer and trial coordinator Norene Keenan, “for their hard work and commitment”.

Patients will be recruited to the trial from across a target of 80 UK centres and eight to ten sites internationally, with the trial itself expected to conclude in December 2030.

Six UK sites are now open for recruitment, including Ninewells Hospital, University Hospital of Wales (UHW), Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whiston Hospital in Merseyside, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, and Royal Bournemouth Hospital, with more currently preparing to open.

Dundee team search for new treatment options

A report on AML treatments co-authored by Dr Tauro – consultant and senior lecturer in haematology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School – last year noted that “treatment options remain severely limited” while “the median survival of patients continues to be disappointingly stagnant”.

The report added:

‘An alternative, strategic, laboratory data-driven approach may be helpful to overcome the absence of biological information on disease evolution in patients and to identify novel treatments.’

Liz Coote, Head of Non-Commercial Research Services at Tayside Medical Science Centre (TASC) – which combines the research strengths of the University of Dundee with NHS Tayside – said: 

“Recognition of Tayside’s efforts in recruitment of participants to the OPTIMISE-FLT3 study is exciting and an exceptional start.

“It represents a strong foundation, not just for Ninewells, but also for all involved in attempting to make a breakthrough discovery in improving vital treatments for this aggressive cancer, while enabling opportunities for more patients to participate in clinical research.”

TASC is a joint office where NHS Tayside, and the University of Dundee work in partnership to provide streamlined access to professional advice, expert regulatory support, and world-class clinical research infrastructure.

Steve McSwiggan, Senior Research and Development Manager at NHS Tayside, added:

“We’re delighted to see the Ninewells site being acknowledged for its contribution to the study recruitment and for the rapid start up and identification of suitable patients in our Board.

“It was a collective effort from our R&D reviewers and the study team to ensure we were well placed to contribute to the trial immediately on it opening to recruitment in the UK.

“My congratulations go to Ellie Ursuta in our non-commercial R&D office for her diligence in liaising with the sponsor team at Cardiff University to get the study opened here. Also, to the haematology research team for their efforts and hard work which has once again shown the dedication of our teams to advancing research activity in our board.

“It is great to see collaborative research being supported across the UK and Tayside’s contribution to that being recognised again.”

This article is written as part of a promotional agreement between NHS Research Scotland (NRS) and Healthcare News Scotland.

More from NHS Research Scotland: Glasgow in ‘significant’ neurology trial; Study reveals keys to public engagement in research; Patients invited to help shape research showcase; Midlothian GP practice champions clinical research; The nurse helping GPs trial ‘tomorrow’s medicine’

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.