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Dont take drugs even if they pay you

Drug trial victim is told he has signs of aggressive cancer
August 7, 2006
One of the six volunteers who fell seriously ill in the 'Elephant Man' clinical drug trial this year has been told he has early signs of an aggressive lymphoid cancer.

Driving instructor David Oakley, 35, who revealed the diagnosis in an interview with the Mail on Sunday, said he first went into denial after being told the news a few day ago by an immunologist hired by his lawyers.

'My initial reaction was to ignore the outlook and just think positively. Apparently, what I have is not a nice form of cancer. I will require further tests to see what treatment will be needed,' he said. 'It's very frightening. I am trying not be too down about the thought of having chemotherapy or that I might die. I can't work or make any long-term plans. We live from day to day and hope that when the cancer develops, it will be treatable.'

Mr Oakley, from west London, was the worst affected among the men who were paid £2,000 each for taking part in the trial. He suffered an immediate life-threatening reaction to the drug. His organs failed and his head swelled. He said doctors warned him that he risks developing multiple sclerosis, arthritis and chronic fatigue.

The trial of TGN 1412, designed to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and leukaemia, was conducted on behalf of German firm TeGenero by contract research company Parexel. TeGenero has gone into liquidation. Its insurers gave each man an interim payment of £10,000. They are seeking £5m in damages.

A volunteer who was given a placebo, or dummy drug, described how the other men were writhing in agony, vomiting and screaming about the pain in their heads after taking TGN 1412. An interim report last month by government-appointed experts said the first dose of such drugs should only be given to one person during early trials.

Mr Oakley said he took part in the trial to raise money for his wedding to his fiancee. They married in June. 'I can't imagine life without him,' said Katrina Oakley
 
  walkin on 2006-08-07
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
No payment is worth this problem
 
walkin last decade

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