European TV documentary makers focus on Clatterbridge research

Posted 3rd October 2023

A Dutch TV crew have visited The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to film our team involved with ground-breaking cancer research.

The documentary filmmakers are creating a programme about new cancer therapies and how they are beginning to revolutionise the way oncologists are tackling cancers when standard treatments have not been effective enough.

The crew, from Holland’s public broadcaster, are making a documentary about oncolytic virology, where tumours directly injected with virus-based treatment to make them shrink and to stimulate the patient’s immune system to tackle other cancer cells.

They interviewed Clatterbridge Medical Oncologist Dr Joseph Sacco, pictured, who is an expert in this field and who is leading three clinical research trials into the technique at the Trust. The filmmakers are also interviewing a Clatterbridge patient, who has seen positive results while on one of the oncolytic virology clinical trials.

The programme is due to be broadcast in Holland towards the end of the year.

Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research and Innovation Operations, said: “We were delighted to host the documentary filmmakers and explain all about our clinical research, which is leading the way in this pioneering technique.

“Clatterbridge is a national and international leader in many areas of cancer research, especially in studies into studies of new immunotherapies, and this coverage from a European broadcaster shows how highly we are regarded in this.”