FLAIR is a UK wide randomised phase 3 trial comparing different treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a cancer of the blood. The researchers are adding a drug called ibrutinib, a cancer growth blocker, to CLL treatments. Four different treatment combinations are being investigated:
· fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) (currently standard treatment)
· ibrutinib and rituximab
· ibrutinib and venetoclax
· ibrutinib
The aim is to see if ibrutinib containing treatments work better than the standard treatment for CLL. Researchers think that ibrutinib with rituximab (a monoclonal antibody), or venetoclax (which targets and blocks a protein important for survival of some lymphoma cells), might work well for people with CLL who have not yet had treatment. The trial is supported by Cancer Research UK and you can find out more about it on the CRUK website.
Since opening as a recruitment site in November 2014, the research team in Aberdeen have recruited over 30 participants, an amazing achievement for the team. The first participants recruited to the study in Aberdeen have recently successfully completed their 6 year follow up visit.