How philanthropy is helping promising cancer treatments reach clinical trials sooner

On International Clinical Trials Day, we’re spotlighting how philanthropy–backed clinical trials at Cancer Research UK are helping promising treatments reach people affected by rare and hard-to–treat cancers.

Every day, researchers around the world identify new ideas that could transform how we treat cancer. But turning those ideas into treatments that can be tested in people is one of the most difficult steps in the drug development process.

At the heart of this challenge is Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD), the world’s only charity-funded drug development facility, led by Dr Lars Erwig.

Our CDD is an engine for translating promising science into new treatments. It specialises in taking innovative drugs from early discovery through to clinical trials. It has a strong focus on areas of unmet need, particularly rare and less common cancers, where there are often fewer treatment options and limited commercial investment.

This focus is critical, because around one in four cancers are rare, including all children’s and young people’s cancers. Smaller affected populations and limited commercial incentives mean many promising treatments for these cancers are deprioritised or abandoned – even when the science shows real promise.

This is where philanthropic support makes a crucial difference. Because our CDD operates independently of commercial return, it can focus on scientific promise over profit, supporting ambitious early-stage trials in areas of greatest unmet need.

This approach is already delivering impact.

Healthcare professional labelling a blood sample — Credit: Imperial Science Imagery

Abiraterone, now one of the most important prostate cancer treatments worldwide, was first discovered in the mid-1990s by scientists funded by us. The CDD team formulated the drug and supported its Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, laying the groundwork for its success.

Later studies, including the landmark STAMPEDE trial, showed that abiraterone could halve the likelihood of high-risk prostate cancer returning. Today, it is used across the UK and internationally, helping thousands of men live longer and with a better quality of life.

A trial strengthened by flexibility and international partnership

Another example is the CLARITY trial for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare and aggressive cancer where research within a single country is especially challenging. To address this, the trial has been designed as a truly international effort, with plans to open sites across five countries in Europe – the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Norway – thanks to our ongoing partnership with the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS).

The trial will test CY–101, a novel drug designed to attack cancer cells directly while also activating the immune system to fight tumours throughout the body. CY–101 is injected straight into tumours using imaging guidance, allowing treatment to be delivered precisely where it is needed most.

A nurse and patient in a clinical setting

By recruiting participants across multiple countries, researchers can bring together enough people to properly evaluate this promising approach – something that would not be possible in the UK alone.

This collaborative approach with the NCS shows how flexibility and cross-border partnership can help accelerate progress for people facing rare cancers, where treatment options are often very limited.

Prioritising promise over profit

“Rare cancers sit at a pivotal moment in drug development – a space where flexible, agile funding can unlock the testing of many more promising drug agents,” says Dr Lars Erwig.

Philanthropy gives us the freedom to act quickly, explore bold ideas and advance treatments that traditional funding streams can’t reach.

- Dr Lars Erwig

As International Clinical Trials Day shines a light on the importance of clinical research, our globally unique CDD is tackling one of the biggest barriers in cancer research – getting promising treatments into trials – and demonstrates how philanthropy-backed flexibility can help ensure promising ideas aren’t shelved and reach people affected by cancer.

Supporting this work is a priority area for our More Research, Less Cancer philanthropic campaign, helping to accelerate progress where it’s needed most.

With continued support, we can bring more promising treatments through early development and into trials – offering new hope to people affected by cancer who currently have limited options.

If you’d like to partner with us on this work, please contact Reema Agarwal, Philanthropy Lead (Translation & Innovation), at [email protected].