New trial offers hope for people with rare adrenal cancer – Cancer Research UK

The CLARITY trial will test a new drug called CY-101 (getacatetide).  

It’s made up of tiny dagger-like molecules (peptides) that poke holes in the cancer cells. As the damaged cells spill their contents, they signal to the body’s defence force (immune system) to investigate the source of the spill and clear the cancer cells.  

At the same time, the peptides also help the immune system stay focused on the tumour. Some cancer cells can send signals that distract or supress immune cells, but CY-101 is designed to block these signals so the immune system can recognise and destroy cancer cells.   

The researchers hope that this two-pronged approach could make CY-101 an effective treatment against ACC.  

And they have good reason to be optimistic. According to Professor Debashis Sarker, lead investigator of the study, CY-101 “demonstrated encouraging outcomes in people with solid tumours, including ACC” in a phase 1 clinical trial.  

Now, this new clinical trial will look specifically at how effective CY-101 is in treating ACC. 

For Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross, Chief Executive of the Norwegian Cancer Society, the trial’s announcement is exciting news.  

“With the opening of this trial, the treatment is finally reaching patients in the UK and soon also in Norway and other European countries.”