CANCER patients are praising fundraisers who have raised enough money to full fund a trial of a new leukaemia drug.

Staff at the Oxford Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital also sent their appreciation in a video to Bloodwise after fundraisers took part in My Peak Challenge, raising more than £300,000 to fund the Camellia trial.

The Camellia trial, run at the Churchill, is looking at a new drug called Hu5F9-G4 to treat acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Hu5F9-G4 is a type of biological therapy known as monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking the signals of a protein called CD47, which can stop the body’s immune system from working and destroying cancer cells.

Chief investigator of the trial and Oxford University professor of haematology Paresh Vyas said: “This is just one example where we have worked with our partners in the UK and abroad to bring a completely new treatment for patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, the most common aggressive adult leukaemia.

“ It is early days but we are seeing patients benefitting and this is really pleasing.”

Director of research at Bloodwise Alasdair Rankin added: “Camellia is one example of the great research projects that Bloodwise funds in Oxford. We’re grateful to everyone in the community.”