Boy, six, first UK person in brain tumour drug trial

Leo has a low-grade glioma, a type of brain tumour made up from supportive tissue of the brain called known as GLIAL cells, which help support brain function

A young boy who loves arts and crafts is the first person in the UK to take part in a global brain tumour drug trial.

Six-year-old Leo from Peterborough, who lives with an inoperable brain tumour, started the trial at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH).

The study will test if a new drug is an effective treatment for a specific group of brain tumour patients, compared to chemotherapy, and can be taken weekly as a liquid or capsule.

Leo’s mum, Corey, said: "No parent ever wants to be in this situation, so if we can help anybody else, we’re going to do that, because it’s the right thing to do."

Gliomas are brain tumours that start in glial cells, which are the ‘supporting’ cells or ‘glue’ of the nervous system and therefore help support brain function

Leo was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma in 2023 after subtle symptoms including headaches and sickness.

During developmental delay tests, an MRI scan found the tumour and showed it could not be safely removed.

Mum, Corey, said: "Being on this trial isn’t just going to help Leo, it’s going to help the next kid and their family, because they’ll be better prepared, and they’ll know a bit more about treatments.

"Taking part in research is a legacy because the more these doctors know, they’ll be able to do so much more for these children in the future.

"The more people that are part of research and progressing knowledge, the further you can get, and you can do so many more things."

Dr Charlie Burns said taking part in research, "is how we have been able to improve outcomes for those affected by childhood cancer"

The drug, developed by scientists at a US Biotechnology company, aims to stabilise tumours, cause some shrinkage, and lessen long-term side effects of multiple treatments.

Dr Charlie Burns, Leo’s consultant paediatric oncologist at CUH said: "The advantage for patients of being on this trial is that if they are assigned to the standard chemotherapy and it is shown not to work, then they can automatically ‘cross over’ to receive the investigational drug."

The drug has shown promising results for patients who had relapsed or refractory low-grade gliomas, said Professor Matthew Murray, the principal investigator in Cambridge for the trial.

He added the trial would test if it could benefit newly diagnosed patients.