Summary: A young woman named Ella Hines, who suffers from Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a rare genetic condition that increases the risk of certain cancers, has been given hope with a new clinical trial. The trial is testing the effectiveness of the anti-diabetes drug Metformin in treating LFS. If successful, this trial could provide a better outlook for individuals with LFS in the future.
At just nine months old, Ella Hines was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the adrenal glands. Then, at the age of 23, she faced breast cancer. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with LFS, which increases her lifetime risk of developing cancer by 90%.
The clinical trial, launched this summer, aims to enroll 224 patients with LFS in the UK. It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Medical Research Council partnership, with additional support from Cancer Research UK. Through the trial, the researchers hope to determine if Metformin, a drug typically used to treat diabetes, can be effective in reducing the risk of cancer in individuals with LFS.
For Ella Hines, this trial offers hope. She is “looking forward to being part of it” and hopes that it will not only benefit herself but also give other individuals with LFS a better outlook in the future. Ella acknowledges the challenges she has faced during her journey, including the loss of her hair, eyelashes, and fingernails, which led to a loss of self-confidence. She hopes that her experiences can serve as inspiration for other young adults and children going through similar challenges.
Prof Sarah Blagden, director of the Oncology Clinical Trials Office at the University of Oxford, emphasizes the importance of this trial for people who currently live in fear of developing cancer due to their risk factors. This trial offers the possibility of a better future for individuals with LFS.
Sources:
– National Institute for Health and Care Research
– Medical Research Council
– Cancer Research UK
– University of Oxford
