PEAR-TREE2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prospective Evaluation of AI R&D tool for patient stratification: a Trial for Renal immuno-oncology model Experimental Evaluation 2 (PEAR-TREE 2)
IRAS ID
328435
Contact name
Duleek Ranatunga
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ourotech Limited (trading as Pear Bio)
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Kidney cancer is a large unmet need in the UK, with 13,000 new patients diagnosed annually, a 52% survival rate, and nearly 5,000 patients dying each year. Pear Bio have developed a diagnostic test that may help oncologists decide on the appropriate course of treatment for patients with cancer. The diagnostic test uses a small tumour sample taken from the patient, alongside a blood sample. Samples are placed in a 3D hydrogel to create microtumours, which act as a proxy for the patient to test treatment options in a laboratory without exposing the actual patient to those treatments. Various approved treatment options are tested in parallel microtumours at Pear Bio's central laboratory. A report is generated on which treatments work best on a given patient's tumour sample, so their oncologist can prescribe an effective treatment.
As Pear Bio's technology is still in early development for kidney cancers, this study will serve to validate the technology. Tumour and blood samples are taken from patients before they start a new line of treatment and used to optimise Pear Bio's technology to test therapies used in the UK or the USA to treat kidney cancer. The main aim of the study is to compare outcomes in patients treated with standard of care drugs and the response we see in the Pear Bio system. This study will enable future studies that are used to guide treatment decisions between multiple approved treatment options on a personalised basis.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0884
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion