Clatterbridge leads UK lung cancer research as first patient joins new clinical trial

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has strengthened its reputation as a national leader in lung and thoracic cancer research after treating the first patient in the UK with a new experimental immunotherapy.

The Liverpool-based specialist cancer trust is running one of the country’s most extensive thoracic oncology research programmes, with 16 clinical trials currently open to patients. Among them is the Rosetta Lung-02 study, which has now begun treatment with its first UK patient and is screening a second.

The programme has grown in line with a wider expansion of research activity at Clatterbridge in recent years. It now includes trials covering a full range of treatment approaches, including immunotherapy, targeted therapies and cancer vaccines. Patients can access research opportunities at every stage of their illness, from pre-surgery treatment to advanced and metastatic cancer.

Dr Carles Escriu, consultant medical oncologist and lead for thoracic oncology research at Clatterbridge, said the scale of the programme reflects years of investment in staff, infrastructure and patient-focused care.

He said having 16 interventional trials running at the same time allows patients in Cheshire and Merseyside to access treatments that could become the future standard of care.

The Rosetta Lung-02 study is assessing a new antibody treatment called Pumitamig, combined with chemotherapy, to see how effective it is for eligible lung cancer patients.

Dr Escriu described treating the first UK patient on the trial as a significant milestone that highlights the work of the clinical teams, research nurses and trial coordinators involved. He added that strong research infrastructure is key to the programme’s success, with six principal investigators and an experienced multidisciplinary trials team overseeing delivery.

Weekly governance meetings bring together clinicians and research staff to ensure studies are run safely and efficiently. The programme has been developed through close collaboration between clinical teams, research operations and business intelligence specialists.

Dr Gillian Heap said the success of the thoracic oncology portfolio shows what can be achieved when research is embedded into everyday cancer care. She added that Clatterbridge is committed to expanding research opportunities further in 2026 and strengthening its role as a national hub for thoracic oncology research.

She said the latest trial gives patients across the region greater access to cutting-edge treatment options and underlines the trust’s ambition to deliver world-class cancer research locally.

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