Could targeting HER2 help us treat cancer?
Although cancer care has improved significantly over the last few decades, current treatments don’t help everyone. Recently, drugs that target proteins thought to play a key role in cancer have brought hope. So, we’re conducting Beamion PANTUMOR-1 – a clinical study to see if an investigational drug which targets one of these proteins, called HER2, can help people with cancer that:
Cannot be removed with surgery, or has spread
Has not responded to or has progressed following treatment with all currently available options
This website will tell you about clinical research in general, and what taking part in Beamion PANTUMOR-1 would involve.
Ready to take the next step?
Please contact your nearest study site for more information.
What is a clinical study?
A clinical study (also known as a clinical trial) is a type of medical research that helps us answer questions about an investigational drug, such as:
Is it safe?
Is it effective?
Every clinical study must follow a plan (known as a protocol), which must be reviewed and approved by independent groups. These groups ensure that the safety and privacy of participants are protected.
What will this study involve?
If you join Beamion PANTUMOR-1, your total time in the study will depend on how you respond to the investigational drug. The study includes three key periods:
Screening period
We’ll carry out some health checks at a screening visit to make sure that you and the study are a good fit.
Treatment period
You’ll be given the investigational drug to take as tablets, once a day, for as long as you benefit from it.
Follow-up period
If you stop taking the investigational drug, you’ll need to attend an end-of-treatment visit. You’ll then have at least one follow-up visit so that we can continue to monitor your health.
How is the investigational drug designed to work?
The cells in our body rely on signals from proteins to tell them when to grow. HER2 is one example of a protein.
Usually, HER2 tells our cells to grow at just the right moment, and at just the right speed.
But sometimes, HER2 stops working properly and asks for too much growth. Ultimately, this can lead to cancer.
The investigational drug is designed to work by blocking the HER2 protein, so that it no longer sends the wrong commands.
The investigational drug is a ‘pan-tumor’ drug, which means that it’s designed to work in a variety of cancer types, regardless of the body part affected.
How will my health be monitored?
During Beamion PANTUMOR-1, you’ll need to visit the study clinic regularly (about once a week for approximately 2 months, and then every 3 weeks thereafter) so that we can carefully monitor your health. Health assessments will vary between visits but may include:
Blood tests
Physical examinations
Tumor imaging scans
Urine tests
Study diary
We’ll give you a diary to record when you eat and take your investigational drug tablets for 3 days before some of your clinic visits.
FAQs
If you take part in Beamion PANTUMOR-1, your health may improve, stay the same, or even get worse. You may also experience side effects from the investigational drug. However, the study doctor will monitor your health closely with frequent health assessments, and by taking part, you’ll be contributing to research that may help others with cancer in the future.
No. You won’t have to pay for the investigational drug or any of the health assessments (including the study diary). We will also reimburse you for travel and accommodation costs.
No. As a volunteer, you can change your mind and leave Beamion PANTUMOR-1 at any time, for any reason, with no impact on your regular health care.