A new drug in the fight against bowel cancer is being trialled in Colchester.

Nothing to lose - Paul Whiteman, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1997 and is taking the new drug as part of his treatment, pictured with wife Gloria. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (38206-1)

The drug, called cetuximab, is designed to slow the progress of bowel cancer in patients where the disease is advanced.

Four or five local patients are involved in the study, which will look at how their lives are changed by receiving the drug.

Cetuximab is used as an add-on treatment for patients who have been undergoing chemotherapy but have stopped responding to it so well.

Cancer specialist Dr Bruce Sizer, consultant oncologist at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, explained that cancer cells could learn to overcome conventional chemotherapy drugs in some cases.

Dr Sizer said it was a boost for the local teams as drugs like cetuximab were usually only trialled in major centres.

Published Monday, September 27, 2004

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