Dr Andrew Clamp - research

My main interests are the development of anti-angiogenic treatment strategies and clinical trial design.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel development and is vital for the growth of solid tumours. Strategies targeting VEGF the principal pro-angiogenic cytokine have been shown to improve outcomes in the treatment of a wide range of epithelial cancers. However many questions remain to be answered – in particular how should anti-angiogenic strategies be best employed and how can we identify those patients that are most likely to benefit? This last point is particularly apposite given the cost and toxicities of antiangiogenic treatments.

In collaboration with Professor Gordon Jayson, I have an active involvement in a phase I clinical trial programme developing novel anti-angiogenic agents. A key component of these studies is the development of imaging and serological biomarkers that will allow us to direct the future development of these drugs. I have recently completed recruitment to a translational research study exploring the dynamic effects of bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody) of the intratumoural vasculature of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer by imaging in collaboration with Professor Geoff Parker and Dr James O’Connor.

I have led the data analysis and report writing for several early phase clinical trials in ovarian cancer and an EORTC- sponsored phase I trial in colorectal cancer.

My future plans involve developing a clinical/ translational research programme investigating anti-angiogenic agents in endometrial cancer.