Latest news with #UniversityCollegeLondonHospital
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Glioblastoma breakthrough: 40-year-old dad is brain cancer-free after groundbreaking immunotherapy trial
In a surprising and hopeful turn of events, a 40-year-old father is living his best life in his second innings, after he was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma in 2023. In fact, three years later, he is not only healthy and thriving, but his brain cancer has completely 'vanished'! How? Read on to know more. What happened? In October 2022, 40-year-old Ben Trotman was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma, the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer that typically carries a grim prognosis with a median survival of just 12–18 months. Yet, over two years after receiving a single dose of ipilimumab before standard care, Trotman reportedly remains cancer-free and healthy as ever. Under the care of consultant oncologist Dr. Paul Mulholland at UCLH (University College London Hospital), Trotman became part of an NHS-funded trial that administers ipilimumab, a checkpoint inhibitor designed to boost the immune system, before traditional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Two years later, his scans show no signs of recurrence, an unprecedented outcome in glioblastoma treatment. The medical marvel The new clinical trial for the most deadly type of brain cancer, glioblastoma, which helped Ben with another shot at life, is looking for patients to join after an incredible success story. Organized by the NHS, this study aims to enroll 16 people over 18 months and is dedicated to Baroness Margaret McDonagh, who lost her battle with the disease. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma will receive an immunotherapy drug called ipilimumab before starting standard treatments, making the most of their immune systems when they are at their strongest. The trial is being led by experts at University College London Hospital's National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. It follows a previous study with the same drug, which had to close because not enough patients joined. The trial honors the late Baroness Margaret McDonagh's memory and, like Trotman, participants receive ipilimumab to prime their immune defenses, with hopes of replicating his reassuring response. Ipilimumab: The key behind the breakthrough Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks CTLA-4, an immune checkpoint. In cancers like melanoma, it enhances T-cell activity, enabling the body to attack tumors. When used before standard glioblastoma therapy, it primes the immune system to better target cancer cells. In Trotman's case, it appears to have either eradicated or dramatically controlled his tumor, an outcome never before reported in this context. This 'window-of-opportunity' pre-treatment approach is groundbreaking. By delivering immunotherapy before surgery, it maximizes immune activation and potentially aids post-operative cancer control, a novel strategy in glioblastoma care. What is glioblastoma? Glioblastoma, previously known as glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain cancer in adults. Glioblastoma originates from astrocytes, a type of glial cell that supports nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Glioblastoma is classified as a Grade IV tumor, meaning it's highly aggressive, grows rapidly, and infiltrates surrounding brain tissue. The exact cause of most glioblastomas is unknown. However, it is understood that the disease develops when brain cells undergo DNA mutations that cause them to grow and multiply uncontrollably. The prognosis for glioblastoma is generally poor, with a median survival of about 12-18 months after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate is around 5%, meaning about 5% of patients are still alive five years after their diagnosis. Glioblastoma almost always recurs despite maximal treatment. Hence, Trotman's cancer-free scans more than two years post-treatment represent a hopeful breakthrough. It suggests that bolstering immune readiness before conventional treatment might overcome glioblastoma's defenses. The success story The success story comes from Ben Trotman, who was diagnosed in October 2022 at the age of 40. Now, at 43, two years and eight months after his treatment, his scans are clear, and there are no traces of the tumor. Dr. Paul Mulholland, the consultant medical oncologist who is leading this new trial and treated Ben, as reported by The Independent, shared, 'It is very unusual to have a clear scan with glioblastoma, especially when he didn't have the follow-up surgery that had been planned to remove all of the tumor that was initially visible on scans. We hope that the immunotherapy and follow-up treatment Ben has had will hold his tumor at bay – and it has so far, which we are delighted to see. ' Ben's life has changed significantly since his diagnosis; he got married to Emily just two months after receiving the immunotherapy treatment, and in April, they welcomed their daughter, Mabel. Emily expressed the emotional toll of Ben's diagnosis, saying, 'Getting this diagnosis was the most traumatic experience. We were grappling with the fact that Ben had gone from being apparently perfectly healthy to having months to live. Had we not met Dr. Mulholland, that would have been it for us. We felt we had a lucky break in an otherwise devastating situation.' After the immunotherapy, Ben went on to have the standard treatments of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He continues to have quarterly scans, which remain clear. Ben reflected on their journey, stating, 'We obviously don't know what the future holds, but having had the immunotherapy treatment and getting these encouraging scan results has given Emily and me a bit of hope. We are focused on rebuilding the life we thought we had lost and enjoying being parents. ' Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP led a successful fundraising campaign that gathered over £1 million to support this new trial. Her sister, Baroness McDonagh, sadly passed away from glioblastoma in 2023. Dame Siobhain shared, 'My beloved sister Margaret was appalled to discover that there had been no advances in brain cancer treatment for decades when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Changing this was Margaret's final campaign and one that I have continued in her memory. I am so grateful to the many people who knew and respected Margaret, who have come together and helped to raise funds and campaign for this new trial that we are calling Margaret's Trial.' Dr. Mulholland is also thankful for Margaret and Siobhain's dedication, stating, 'When I met Margaret, she said to me, 'What can I do to support you to cure this disease?'. I am incredibly grateful to her and to Siobhain, whose campaigning and fundraising in her sister's memory have led to this new clinical trial opening for patients with this most aggressive form of brain cancer that has such a poor prognosis, with most patients surviving just nine months after diagnosis. The crucial element of this trial is that patients will have their immune system boosted by the drug before they have any other treatment, when they are fit and well enough to tolerate the immunotherapy. We're taking everything we have learned from previous trials into this new study, and we are already planning follow-on trials. My aim is to find a cure for glioblastoma.' What's ahead? Led by Dr. Mulholland, the trial is expanding enrollment, aiming to confirm both safety and effectiveness. Currently, the National Brain Appeal is funding two positions to support Dr. Mulholland's vital research. The treatment will take place at the NIHR UCLH's Clinical Research Facility and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Patients who are interested in participating in the new Win-Glio trial should discuss it with their consultant.
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I slipped into a coma and woke up with somebody else's memories'
After waking up from a coma, Alpha Kabeja believed himself to be the expectant father of twins and the proud owner of a private jet. It eventually dawned on him that it wasn't his own life that he was remembering On New Year's Day 2012, Alpha Kabeja was cycling along a North London road on the way to his girlfriend's house, feeling a little guilty about having spent the previous evening celebrating the festivities without her. It was then that the then 29-year-old, who'd been cycling without a helmet that rainy afternoon, was struck by a van, which drove away from the scene. Although his crushed body bore no visible injuries, a CT scan at nearby University College London Hospital revealed that his bleeding brain had taken such a powerful hit, it had actually moved around in his skull. Alpha spent the next three weeks in a coma, while surgeons attempted to remove part of his skull to alleviate the swelling. It was feared that Alpha would have severe memory problems, and his family was advised to prepare for significant amnesia. When he did finally awake, however, he was able to remember complex details of events that hadn't actually happened. As reported by the Boston Globe in 2016, Alpha had vivid memories of being on his way to visit his pregnant girlfriend, who was expecting twins. He believed he carried with him an ultrasound, tucked away in a notebook filled with ideas for songs, and even asked nurses if they'd seen it. His memories of being an expectant father were so clear that he even remembered the names he'd chosen for his unborn son and daughter - Sky and Nikita. Thinking back on the day of the accident itself, Alpha believed he had just been to a successful job interview with an assistant to the director of operations at MI6, where he'd been working with a man called Michael Mitchells. He also thought he possessed a small private plane. None of this was true, but to Alpha, it felt very real indeed. He told the publication: 'The memories felt real, but I didn't understand them, in a way, actually. I didn't quite understand them.' For six months after his horror accident, Alpha was convinced his memories were real, and it was only when he contacted the M16 offices directly and learned the offices hadn't been open on January 1 that he began to doubt himself. His family and friends didn't challenge him, with Alpha, who can now laugh about his confusion, recalling: 'They were not questioning, they were just letting me go along with it!' It's believed these false memories could have been Alpha's brain attempting to make sense of the gaps he'd been left with during his time in a coma, weaving this narrative from other memories, including things he'd seen in films, such as the private aircraft. Shedding some light on this phenomenon, Julia Shaw, a memory researcher at London South Bank University, explained: 'When you wake up, your brain is trying to reconnect pieces because your brain is trying to recover that sense of you, that sense of memory, that sense of history. And in that process of recovery and essentially healing, you can make connections in ways that are fantastical and impossible'.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sarah Ferguson Unveils New Pics with Her Daughters & Their Body Language Is So Telling
Sarah Ferguson and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, recently made a joint appearance for a special cause—and this one hits close to home. This week, the three royals visited University College London Hospital to support the #AndYoungPeople campaign as patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK-based charity that aims to improve the cancer experience of teens and young adults. The Duchess of York shared a few highlights from their visit on Instagram, and I couldn't help but spot their body language as they engaged with patients and staff. For instance, in the first photo, the royal moms are practically beaming as they pose together in the hallway of the hospital. Also, in the second slide, they wear genuine smiles as they converse with a young patient, indicating an authentic connection. I made yet another key observation in the third slide, where the duchess gently places a hand on one of the patients while sitting with the group. This demonstrates her sincerity and desire to connect with people. The cancer campaign comes after Fergie's double cancer diagnosis, including an early form of breast cancer in June 2023 and malignant melanoma in January 2024. Now, the Duchess is determined to raise awareness of the challenges faced when living with cancer. On IG, she captioned her post, "It was an absolute honour to return to the T12 Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at @uclh, which I opened in 2005, this time with my beloved daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. I was so proud to stand beside them as fellow Honorary Patrons of @teenage_cancer, united in our commitment to raising awareness of the unique challenges young people face when diagnosed with cancer." She continued, "I've been on my own cancer journey, so I have some understanding of what these incredible youngsters are going through. Teenagers and young adults with cancer face particular challenges—it's particularly concerning that on average it takes them three visits to the GP before they're even referred to a specialist. I'm determined that we improve this situation and have signed @teenage_cancer's open letter to Health Secretary @wesstreeting." In addition, Princess Eugenie shared a carousel of photos from the visit and echoed her mother's sentiments. In the caption, she wrote, "It is so important to shine a light on the charity's vital work, and the unique challenges young people with cancer face, as part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. The T12 teenage and young adult unit at UCLH provides care for up to 20 patients aged 13-19, and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Thank you so much for having us and for sharing your stories and hope." Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here. Sarah Ferguson Shares Candid and Emotional New Video Message: 'I Just Have Got to Say Something'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warwick Davis' wife's cause of death revealed as arrhythmic cardiac arrest
Warwick Davis' wife's cause of death has been revealed as arrhythmic cardiac arrest. Samantha Davis died aged 53 on 24 March, 2024, and an inquest on Monday (14.04.25) at Inner West London Coroner's Court heard the actress – who had the achondroplasia form of dwarfism – underwent a thoracic discectomy at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London on 20 February 2024 and passed away following complications linked to her spinal surgery. The procedure, intended to address semi-paralysis in her legs, involved cutting through her ribs and deflating a lung. Post-surgery, she suffered a haemothorax, leading to the drainage of approximately one litre of fluid. She was then transferred to University College London Hospital for observation. After a second haemothorax in March, Samantha showed signs of improvement and was scheduled for discharge on 24 March. However, she went into cardiac arrest shortly before midnight on 23 March and was pronounced dead in the early hours of the following day. Resuscitation efforts lasted 53 minutes. Pathologist Dr John Firth attributed her death to a left haemothorax resulting from surgical complications, noting the presence of over 700ml of blood and clots. However, some medical professionals offered differing opinions. Cardiothoracic surgeon Mr David Lawrence stated a chest x-ray taken the day before her death appeared satisfactory and suggested that the bleeding was more likely caused by CPR. Consultant spinal surgeon Mr Adrian Casey, who performed the discectomy, remarked such blood loss was 'unlikely to cause death' and described the cause as 'somewhat unexplained'. Dr Katherine Hunt, UCLH's clinical lead for resuscitation, said Samantha's bleed was more likely a result of CPR and identified signs of an abnormal heart rhythm on the defibrillator rhythm strip. Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox concluded the actress passed away from arrhythmic cardiac arrest following complications from spinal surgical treatment. She stated: 'On the balance of probabilities, the stress of her surgeries and the complications that arose precipitated the arrhythmia.' Professor Wilcox emphasised Samantha received 'nothing but excellent care' and added: 'All of her complications were appropriately managed. It's heartbreaking that the surgery was successful only for complications to arise and cause her death."' Warwick, 55, and his family, represented by medical negligence lawyers, attended the inquest seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding Samantha's death. In a statement released through their solicitors, the family expressed hope the inquest would provide them with answers and thanked everyone for their kindness and well-wishes. Samantha, who co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012, met Warwick in 1988 on the set of the film 'Willow'. They married in 1991 and had two children, Annabelle, 27, and 21-year-old Harrison. The couple experienced the loss of two sons – Lloyd, who died at nine days old in 1991, and George, who was lost during pregnancy.
