A ‘life-changing’ cancer drug has been deployed in the NHS thanks to funds raised by talented Sun readers over 20 years ago.
In April, doctors approved the chemotherapy drug olaparib for breast and prostate cancer patients with certain genetic mutations.
After a study funded by The Journal in 2001 with a £650,000 donation, scientists proved it reduced the risk of tumor recurrence.
Our Raise a Ton with The Sun campaign was launched in September 2000 with the support of King Charles, Ronan Keating, Dennis Van Oten, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and many more. Celebrities attended.
Hundreds of readers and your friends and family raised cash and donated to the charity Breast Cancer Now to fund an early trial of Olaparib.
This drug will change the lives of more than 800 cancer patients each year, giving them more precious time to spend with their loved ones.
Dr. Simon Vincent, Director of Research at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“A breakthrough like this is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including readers of The Sun, who supported this research in its early stages.
“Thank you very much.”
The drug works by destroying the PARP protein, which stops cancer cells from self-healing, causing cancer cells to die.
Known as the “Jolie gene” because actress Angelina Jolie carries it, the gene is useful for people with the BRCA gene mutation because it makes them more susceptible to cancer.
After years of research and a battle with NHS red tape, Olaparib is now being used to change the lives of cancer patients, including Joanna Kelly and Claire Sprague.
Joanna, 44, a sustainability consultant and mother of two in Croydon, was diagnosed with breast cancer less than two weeks before giving birth to her second child in 2020.
She took olaparib for one year in 2021 and 2022 to prevent her cancer from coming back after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
“I noticed a lump in my breast and thought it was because I was pregnant, but I had it checked,” Joe told The Sun newspaper.
“I was diagnosed almost on the spot, but my husband had to drive me home because I was crying and shaking.”
A year of grueling treatment followed after the safe birth of their son, Henry.
One of Joe’s primary care physicians was Professor Andrew Tutt, a leading cancer researcher who participated in early trials of olaparib.
she said: “I remember thinking that this might cut my risk of the cancer coming back by almost half, and I wanted to do whatever it took to prolong my life.
“I want to tell my kids that if they ever get cancer again in the future, they’ve done everything they can to reduce their risk.
“In retrospect, it makes sense and I am 100 percent happy with my decision.
“A huge thank you to all Breast Cancer Now doing and to everyone who raised money to donate £650,000 to The Sun. Without them it wouldn’t have happened.”
Our campaign asked each reader to raise £100, the equivalent of a “ton”, to donate to find a cure for breast cancer.
A generous contribution totaling up to £500,000 was received from Southon Trust.
Hundreds of people donated cash and together we raised £650,000 for ‘Breast Cancer Now’ (then called ‘Breakthrough Breast Cancer’).
Celebrity sponsorships, including TV and music stars such as Ian Wright, Isla Fisher, Lorraine Kelly, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Liz Hurley, Lisa Riley, Baby Spice’s Emma Bunton, and model Caprice The list of people is long.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, was the patron of this charity and gave his all to our fundraiser.
Writing for The Sun after the November 9, 2001 donation, he said:
“The Sun’s readers have been at the forefront of this effort.
“Thousands of people helped raise the ‘Raise A Ton With The Sun’ fundraiser and helped raise £650,000. It’s a great achievement.”
Olaparib already existed as a cancer treatment, but research we helped fund showed that doctors could use it more effectively.
Laboratory tests revealed that tumor cells in women with BRCA gene mutations were about 1,000 times more sensitive to olaparib than normal.
The drug may be targeted in a way that reduces damage to surrounding tissue and reduces the risk of side effects.
Trials of this method of attack began in 2001 with female patients, revealing how olaparib could help women at much higher-than-average risk of cancer.
Only 1 in 400 people, or 0.25 percent, inherit a defective BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, but a staggering 70 percent of women who do will develop breast cancer.
On the other hand, 1 in 10 men with a genetic mutation will develop breast cancer and have an increased risk of prostate disease.
After years of research, scientists were able to prove that olaparib could reduce the risk of cancer coming back after standard treatment in these patients.
Its effectiveness depends on the type of cancer, but it can increase survival rates by a third.
Last year, the National Institute for Health Care Excellence, the drug watchdog, refused to use it in the NHS, citing price concerns.
But a pressure campaign from cancer charities and a cheaper deal signed by NHS England and AstraZeneca got the go-ahead in April.
The Cancer Institute in London said at the time that the approval would be “life-changing” for patients.
Professor Tutt, Director of the ICR Center for Breast Cancer Now Toby Robbins Research, said:
“Its development is underpinned by more than 25 years of research at ICR, and it is very rewarding to see decades of research lead to new treatments for patients.
“In 2005, we made an important discovery showing that PARP inhibitors can selectively kill cancer cells with defective BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
“This is very important and we are very grateful to the readers of Breast Cancer Now and Sun for funding that research.”
Claire Sprag, 46, from Cheshire, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and took olaparib for a year starting in December of the same year after her initial treatment.
Claire, a banker and mother of two, had no symptoms until a routine mammogram accidentally diagnosed her with a fast-growing tumor.
After chemotherapy and surgery, she was recommended olaparib by her doctor.
Clare said: “I was worried that the cancer might come back.
“My oncologist told me that triple-negative cancers like mine have a high recurrence rate, and now I have an amazing new tablet.
“It wasn’t on the NHS, so we were both overjoyed when our application was approved.
“There have been side effects such as fatigue and loss of appetite, but it has given me the opportunity to watch my children grow into adults, so bear with me.
“I know I’ve done everything I can to have the opportunity to grow together.
“Years ago, my sister and I were doing some Race for Life for our family. My grandmother died of breast cancer at the age of 44.
“It is absolutely amazing that money is being raised for research to help me and other cancer patients.”
Cancer Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK also funded trials of new uses for olaparib, the first drug used to treat ovarian cancer.
“Only through the power of research funding can we stop men’s life-limiting prostate cancer,” said Chiara De Biers of the Prostate Cancer Institute UK.
Dr Samuel Godfrey, Research Specialist at CRUK, said: “Scientists and doctors funded by charitable donations contribute to half of the world’s essential cancer drugs.
“Therapies like Olaparib give new hope to many people living with cancer, but it is important that we continue to invest in research to find new treatments for those who need them. .”
“The recent approval of olaparib for the treatment of NHS patients with early-stage breast and advanced prostate cancer demonstrates that the NHS is providing the best medicine at an affordable price to patients,” said Professor Peter Johnson, Head of Cancer, NHS England. It is a great example that we can provide to taxpayer.
“The recognition of the NHS 75th anniversary milestone marks the important role that charities like Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK, and campaigns like The Sun have played in early awareness and funding, and It’s also a reminder of the important role it will continue to play.” Researching cutting-edge treatments. ”
