The Cancer Research UK-funded FOxTROT trial showed that patients who had chemotherapy before surgery were significantly less likely to see their cancer come back, compared with those who got all their chemotherapy after surgery. Led by expert cancer specialists in India, supported by Universities of Birmingham and Leeds, FOxTROT-Global is a pilot study, being run from India, in parallel to the on-going FOxTROT2 trial open in the UK and France allowing experts to look at the feasibility and safety of conducting a subsequent full trial in Indian patients.
Launched at G B Pant Hospital, in Delhi, 12 hospitals across India including Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai, and Tata Medical Centre Kolkata have proposed to be part of the FOXTROT-Global as part of the FOxTROT2 Global trial – an international trial running in parallel in multiple countries across the world. Prof. Dion Morton, University of Birmingham in an interaction with Express Healthcare talks about this launch and how its is going to benefit India
What can you tell about the recent launch of the hospital network for Colon Cancer?
This is a unique opportunity to engage surgeons across the world in improving and delivering better cancer care. Surgeons account for 80 per cent of all cancer care across the world, so have a huge part to play. India provides an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate the benefits. We are currently working with over 100 hospitals in the India network – led from CMC Ludhiana. The first 12 hospitals have been selected from this network to lead this cancer initiative. The Colon cancer research network was launched last week from GB Pant hospital, New Delhi and we would like to acknowledge and appreciate the support from this partner hospital especially Prof Anil Agarwal and Sundeep Saluja.
How is the India- UK partnership for research in surgery going to benefit India?
Everything the unit does is focused on patient benefit. Our trials and studies show what is happening in surgery and what measures could benefit patients. In Cheetah we have shown that clean gloves and instruments reduce wound infection after surgery. FOxTROT will assess the benefits of drug treatment before surgery for colon cancer. Findings from studies in India will be used to benefit patients in India as well as across the world.
What are the further notable improvements in medical technology and clinical trials that is bringing revolutionary change?
The development of systems to collect data from patients across the world has been an essential part of collecting global evidence.
What is the surgical morbidity of colon cancer as it is the fifth leading cause of cancer death?
Between 1:5 to 1:3 patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer will have some problems during their recovery. But about half of the patients will be cured by the surgery. The commonest complication is wound infection and is associated with a 5 fold increase in mortality.
How to solve the anxiety and depression of the patients suffering from recurrent colon cancer?
Anxiety with Cancer is not just when people suffer recurrence, but also when people are worried about recurrence. Anxieties are with patients and their relatives. Perhaps the most important part of care is clear explanation of plans and findings.
How are you associated/contributing to the organisation NIHR on Indian Soil?
NIHR has a dedicated funding stream for global health. India has a huge leadership role in this work. We see NIHR/India partnership as a vital opportunity for growth.