Man put on end of life care saved by drug trial

Sean Ludlow (right) continues to receive the same trial treatment to this day

A man told he needed end-of-life care for a serious blood disorder is still alive 22 years later after being included in a new drug trial.

Sean Ludlow, from Evesham, was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH), which is extremely rare, in 2002.

But after a consultation at Worcestershire Royal Hospital he was included in the world's first trial for a PNH drug treatment, which his family said saved his life.

"From the first or second treatment we never looked back," his wife Michelle said.

Seriously ill

Specialist doctors considered Mr Ludlow, 59, to be the most severely affected patient in the country but within weeks of starting the treatment his symptoms began to noticeably improve.

PNH is a disease that destroys red blood cells, creates blood clots, and reduces bone marrow function in patients.

Before starting the trial, Mr Ludlow needed a blood transfusion every few weeks with any minor infection requiring serious treatment.

"Within two sessions of the treatment we saw a massive improvement and he soon went back to work again having been off sick for a while," Mrs Ludlow said.

"I can honestly say it has saved his life."

Mr Ludlow was able to return to work while undergoing treatment

Consultant haematologist Dr Salim Shafeek explained: "I had heard about an international drug trial for PNH taking place from an ex-colleague, but unfortunately the trial already had 10 patients and was not accepting any more.

"However, due to how serious Sean’s condition was, I persuaded them to get special permission for him to be added as the 11th and final patient on the trial."

Dr Shafeek continued: "Sean had an excellent response to the treatment and continues to receive it today.

"In my view, he is only alive today because of this treatment."

Following the successful international trial, the drug treatment called Eculizumab was eventually approved for wider use both in the UK and around the world.