Clomipramine
Professor Geoffrey Pilkington, University of Portsmouth
Professor Garth Cruickshank, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
On-going Research
Our research project at Kings College Hospital, London under Professor Pilkington discovered that under laboratory conditions, Clomipramine, an approved anti-depressant drug, killed brain tumour cells by destroying their breathing mechanism.
Since this discovery, a number of patients have elected to take the drug. The reports back from these patients are encouraging with a number reporting tumour shrinkage. The problem is, these patients have taken the drug on an ad-hoc basis rather than in a regularised clinical trial. This means we are not able to scientifically prove if it is the Clomipramine that is producing the tumour shrinkage or if it is some other effect such as the delayed benefit of radiotherapy.
We have undertaken further scientific tests at Professor Pilkington's laboratories at Portsmouth University. Earlier this year we set up a pilot study collecting data from a number of patients who will be prescribed Clomipramine. We have established a robust and statistically meaningful data collection model with experts in the field and Professor Garth Cruickshank is heading this up. This paper will show whether there is any evidence to fund a multi-centre trial.
We owe it to patients to show one way or the other if this drug has a role to play in the treatment of high grade brain tumours.
