Children with blood cancer will have greater access to world-first stem cell transplant clinical trials thanks to a pioneering collaboration including Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Funded by the charity Cure Leukaemia, the ATICUS Network (Accelerating Trials in Children Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant), will offer children living with blood cancer quicker access to potentially life-saving therapies through a national clinical trial infrastructure.
The ATICUS Network brings together the UK’s leading paediatric clinicians and research nurses from 11 children’s hospitals across the UK, to deliver cutting-edge, practice-changing clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for children undergoing stem cell transplants.
Dr Katharine Patrick, Consultant paediatric haematologist at Sheffield Children’s, said: “Increasing access to clinical research trials is absolutely vital in ensuring every child has the same opportunity to benefit from the latest advances in treatment and innovative therapies.
“Through the ATICUS Network, we hope to speed up the access to clinical trials, which in turn will speed-up the process of these treatments being adopted into standard practice.
“This is about giving every child the best possible chance at a cure, and a future.”
To help fundraise for the ATICUS Network and ensure these trials can get underway as soon as possible, Cure Leukaemia’s Chief Executive James McLaughlin is running 270 miles over 14 days, in his final Run The Nations challenge during Blood Cancer Awareness month.
His mammoth route will see him visit all 11 children’s and 18 adult blood cancer centres across the UK that the charity supports.
On Monday (15 September) James ran the Sheffield leg of the challenge. He was joined by Katharine and several other members of the Sheffield Children’s Haematology Department, as he tackled a gruelling 14-mile course around the hills of Sheffield,
He was also joined by Jo Hawkridge, who’s son Jude was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia back in 2020, and was saved thanks to a clinical trial at Sheffield Children’s.
Jo added: “Without these trials, my son would no longer be here. Jude is living proof that clinical trials work, they do save lives.”
Katharine joined James for the whole leg, while other staff laced up their running shoes for a 5km run round Western Park and Crookes Valley Park, before finishing to a warm welcome at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
James said: “Running the Sheffield leg of my Run The Nations challenge alongside some of the brilliant clinicians on the frontline was a real privilege. Every step is for the patients and families at the very heart of Cure Leukaemia’s mission, and for the children who urgently need access to new treatments through the ATICUS network.
“This challenge isn’t about taking on crazy feats – it’s about showing what’s possible when we come together. By making a donation online, you can help bring us all closer to a cure.”
Cure Leukaemia is also a key funder of the IMPACT trial network that focuses on stem cell transplant and cellular therapy clinical trials for blood cancers.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which cares for adult patients, is one of 12 IMPACT centres in the UK, led by Honorary Consultant Haematologist Professor John Snowden, who joined the run. The funding received for a dedicated IMPACT research nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals allows patients to access clinical trials and potential new treatments, benefiting young people as they transition to adult services.
To find out more about the ATICUS Network, get involved in Move The Nations or to donate, visit www.cureleukaemia.co.uk