Cancer victim from Banham takes part in new clinical trial

A Banham man diagnosed with incurable bone marrow cancer is at the forefront of pioneering new treatments.

David Anstee, 58, was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, in June 2018 after experiencing a lack of energy, exhaustion and a painful back and hips.

He jumped at the chance to take part in a clinical trial at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) called MUK9 that is using state-of-the-art genetic profiling and a drug regime that is tailored to an individual’s genetic subtype.

“Myeloma is incurable, but it is treatable and I have a high risk type of myeloma. My treatment involves taking five different drugs that have not been given in this way before,” said Mr Anstee, of Church Lane.

“It feels like I’m at the forefront of new treatments. I have access to drugs that I would not have access to otherwise.”

The hospital has recruited the highest number of patients on to the nationwide research study, which is taking place across 40 hospitals.

Mr Anstee said he already had some knowledge of clinical trials through his work for a scientific instrument company in Cambridge and had no doubts about joining MUK9 when he was offered the chance to take part.

“The treatment I am getting has been excellent and I feel a lot better than a year ago,” said Mr Anstee.

“The level of control and safety is paramount and I am monitored constantly. I know that the drugs have been tested a lot before they have got to this stage.”

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Around 39 patients at NNUH have been involved in the clinical trial.