First patient in global trial
Cancer centre in search of volunteers

SINGAPORE - A global clinical trial led by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has recruited its first patient, who is suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

About 300 Singaporeans are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, most of which are cases of squamous cell carcinoma.

Two in five of such patients will survive beyond five years after surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy - but NCCS hopes to improve the survival rate with the global phase III clinical trial.

This study hopes to determine if the use of a promising new agent, Nimotuzumab, can improve the survival outcome of patients with advanced head and neck cancer who had surgery.

The latest study - which involves at least 22 institutions from 12 countries - follows the on-going phase II study at NCCS.

While other institutions are awaiting approval from their respective institutional review boards, NCCS has started the new therapy for its first patient.

"People tend to think that patients who volunteered for clinical trials are subjecting themselves to be treated like human guinea pigs," said NCCS director Professor Soo Khee Chee.

"Contrary to that, volunteers often receive the best care possible as they are closely monitored by their doctors and research nurses."

The global phase III clinical trial, which could take three or more years to complete, will see patients administered weekly for an eight-week period with either Nimotuzumab or a placebo in addition to the best available standard therapy - Cisplatin and radiotherapy.

Patients will then be followed up with scans once every three months.

To take part or find out more, call Mr Faisal Roohi, clinical project manager, at 6508 8345 or email faisal.roohi@scri.edu.sg.