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Press release posted 12 February 2025
An innovative new clinical trial funded by charitable donations aims to save more cancer patients’ lives by combining an anti-inflammatory drug with immunotherapy treatment to tackle some of the toughest cancers.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting or directing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. Normally, the immune system defends against infections and illnesses, but cancer can sometimes ‘hide’ from it. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise cancer cells as a threat, making it better able to attack and destroy them. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy - which directly kill cancer cells - immunotherapy supports the body's natural defences, making it a powerful tool, especially for certain tough-to-treat cancers.
Immunotherapy drugs don’t work for everyone. Even in cancers where immunotherapy has shown great promise, such as melanoma, not all patients respond to treatment. Chronic inflammation is believed to play a role in preventing the immune system from effectively targeting cancer cells.
The pioneering new LION trial (Lifting Immune Checkpoints with NSAIDs) hopes to change this by focusing on patients with advanced cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal (kidney) cell carcinoma. It aims to test whether adding the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib, a type of NSAID, to standard immunotherapy treatments can boost the body's ability to fight cancer. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are a class of medications that reduce pain, inflammation, fever and blood clots.
Made possible by funding from The Christie Charity and The Jon Moulton Charity Trust, the LION trial is managed by the Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre and is a unique collaboration led by Dr Anne Armstrong - a consultant medical oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust specialising in breast cancer, and a team of experts: lung consultant Dr Colin Lindsay, renal consultant Dr Tom Waddell - both from The Christie hospital - and Dr Santiago Zelenay, a cancer immunologist from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester.
"The LION trial marks the first time these 3 cancer types have been studied together under one trial,” said Dr Armstrong. “Bringing together specialists in breast, lung, and renal cancers allows us to create a unique research platform, one that will guide future studies into multi-tumour treatments.”
"Based on our preclinical research and that of others, we believe that the addition of celecoxib to standard immune checkpoint blockade treatments will reduce tumour-promoting inflammation and immune-suppression at the tumour, resulting in a more effective immune response. This could significantly improve outcomes for patients with breast, lung and renal cancers. It is thanks to both The Christie Charity and The Jon Moulton Charity Trust that their recognition and support of groundbreaking research enables us to explore these treatments."
With plans to recruit 89 patients, the LION trial is already underway, with 11 patients enrolled since recruitment began. It is open to newly-diagnosed patients in the UK with advanced forms of lung, breast and renal cancers. Participants will receive their standard NHS-approved cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy and, in some cases, chemotherapy, alongside celecoxib. Their cancer will be monitored through regular scans, and additional blood samples will be collected for analysis by scientists at the CRUK Manchester Institute and CRUK National Biomarker Centre. Some patients may also opt to undergo a biopsy for further study.
Annie Fields, a GP based in Wythenshawe is one of the LION trial participants. Annie, who lives in Chorlton, Manchester was diagnosed with triple negative metastatic breast cancer in 2021 when she was 32 and was successfully treated. Sadly, the cancer recurred last year so she was offered the chance to be part of the LION study, as she explains: “Celecoxib is a small capsule to take, and if it improves my body's immune response and helps the immunotherapy fight this cancer then I'm all for it. Improving my survival stats, not only for myself and my family but also future cancer patients would be amazing and I'm very proud to be a part of The LION trial.”
Taking place in conjunction with hospitals across the UK, the LION trial is currently being rolled out over 6 sites, including Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske), The Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust, and Weston Park Hospital, where participants for LION will be recruited from the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is also open now which has 2 sites, Glan Clwyd Hospital and Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Recruitment is expected to continue until April 2026.
Research such as this is central to The Christie Charity's commitment to supporting The Christie hospital’s vision of ‘learning from every patient’ and trebling the number of patients participating in research by 2030. Studies have shown that cancer patients treated at research-intensive hospitals have better outcomes than those treated in hospitals with little or no research activity. The Christie Charity has pledged to support and fund this goal with £30m over the next 5 years with the ultimate aim of bringing tomorrow’s treatments to patients faster.
Louise Hadley, chief executive of The Christie Charity said: “We are committed to investing in groundbreaking research that has the potential to revolutionise treatment for some of the most aggressive cancers. Supporting The Christie hospital in this vital work is a priority for us, and we are proud to play such an integral part in this ambition."
Any patients interested in taking part in clinical trials should discuss this option with their consultant or GP. Not all patients will fit the criteria for a specific trial. While clinical trials can be successful for some patients, outcomes can vary from case to case. More information about taking part in clinical trials can be found on our taking part in studies and trials page.
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.