Latest News
The Christies Magic Bullet Against Cancer
A pioneering cancer treatment, which could replace chemotherapy for some cancer patients, is being developed at The Christie thanks to the support of national construction company, Seddon Group.
As well as being highly effective in destroying cancer, the revolutionary treatment which is called radioimmunotherapy or Magic Bullet is a quicker and easier treatment for patients.
Experts at The Christie have recently undertaken the first Magic Bullet trial in Europe with 27 patients with lymphoma cancers and leukaemia, and found remarkable results.
The two year, 250,000 charity partnership with Seddon will help experts develop a UK centre of excellence for the Magic Bullet treatment at The Christie in Manchester and fund further research.
Magic Bullet treatment targets the cancer cells without affecting the bodys healthy cells. It works by adding a radioactive molecule to patient's antibodies so the antibody can then trigger the immune system to kill cancer cells. Instead of eight cycles of chemotherapy over six months, patients can simply have two outpatient infusions over ten weeks, which means it also prevents hair loss associated with chemotherapy.
Professor Tim Illidge who works at The Christie and The University of Manchester is an international leader in the Magic Bullet treatment and said;
Our radioimmotherapy research has produced excellent results so far. As well as being an effective treatment, it is significantly better for the patient as it is faster and has less side-effects. We now plan to do more research with patients who have other forms of cancers and are very grateful for Seddons support.
Melvin Jones, a retired ambulance driver from Fleetwood was the first patient in Europe to be treated on a clinical trial led by The Christie after being diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma two years ago.
He said; When I found out I had cancer I was distraught, and I was so upset about the thought of losing my hair. But I was thrilled to find out that by having the Magic Bullet, I wouldnt need chemotherapy, and therefore I wouldnt have to part with the long ponytail I love to wear!
He added; I was a bit apprehensive about undergoing new treatment but I have actually felt well throughout. I am really happy that Ive been able to do my bit by trying this new treatment and if this means lots of other people can benefit in the future too then I am over the moon.
Seddon Group is a national construction based group of companies and with offices across the country, has supported The Christie for over a decade. As well as supporting the Magic Bullet research, the group has also become official sponsor of The Christie charitys sporting events programme for 2009 and 2010.
Seddon Group director, Stephen Seddon said; We are proud of our continued association with The Christie. The work they carry out is vital and the benefits are realised worldwide. At some point in our lives, many of us have and will come into contact with this awful disease either directly or through a family member or friend. Our staff have been touched by what theyve learnt about the work carried out at The Christie.
The entire Seddon workforce are going to be working together to raise money for the Magic Bullet research at The Christie and the company is aiming to match pound for pound all funds raised by its employees to give a total contribution of 125,000 for each of the next two years.
The chief executive at The Christie, Caroline Shaw said; Seddons support in developing this exciting new treatment will not only bring benefits to local patients who are able to go on the trial, but potentially thousands of others in the future across the UK and the world.