New CAR-T cell therapy gives hope for patients with aggressive blood cancer
30 November 2024
Publish date: 27 November 2024
A multidisciplinary team at UCLH has successfully completed its first three ovarian cancer cases using an innovative treatment which administers intraperitoneal chemotherapy during surgery.
In the UK, 75 per cent of women with ovarian cancer present with advanced stage disease (FIGO stage 3 or 4). Typically, treatment options for these patients would include a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, the order of which depends on the disease’s spread and an assessment of the patient’s fitness.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an innovative treatment which involves administering heated chemotherapy during surgery. This is in addition to the standard intravenous chemotherapy usually prescribed as part of the existing treatment programme. For patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer, HIPEC has been shown to have a significant impact on survival.
A multi-disciplinary team of gynaecological oncology surgeons, medical oncologists, anaesthetists, nurses, and pharmacists have now completed the first 3 HIPEC procedures at UCLH.
Mr Ioannis Kotsopoulos, HIPEC programme lead, consultant gynaecological oncology surgeon and honorary associate professor, said: “I am excited that UCLH is now able to offer HIPEC to our patients diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer. The HIPEC programme for ovarian cancer is a great example of the fantastic multidisciplinary teamwork here and is the result of the great efforts and collaboration of both clinical and management teams.
“I’m personally also very grateful to the UCLH Charity for their support. We are all very proud to be one of only a few UK hospitals able to offer this innovative technique. I hope to see our patients living well for longer after receiving HIPEC.”
Dr Samuel Clark, anaesthetist, said: “UCLH is at the forefront of cancer care, particularly with UCLH’s introduction of HIPEC for advanced ovarian cancer. It is a testament to the whole multidisciplinary team from the managerial teams to the clinical staff in theatres, intensive care and the wards that we continue to innovate and drive forward improved outcomes in a safe and caring way.”
UCLH is one of a handful of NHS hospitals offering HIPEC for the treatment of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is anticipated that around 30 per cent of patients undergoing surgery may be clinically suitable for HIPEC.
