§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients suffering with mesothelioma are taking part in the MSO1 drug trials; and what the first indications of the trial show. [174799]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 25 May 2004]:The MSO1 trial is funded by Cancer Research UK and is being run by the Medical Research Council clinical trials unit. The trial will look at the value of chemotherapy and active symptom control (ASC) in the 42W treatment of patients with mesothelioma as compared to ASC alone. So far, 280 patients have entered the trial from more than 30 centres in the United Kingdom and one in Australia, but recruitment will need to continue for a further two years before there are sufficient patients to make valid comparisons.