Nearly PLN 29.5 million from the MRA for the implementation of further clinical research

9.02.2021

Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski

Prof. Jan Maciej Zaucha, M.D., Ph.D.; photo: Sylwia Mierzewska/UCC

The Medical University of Gdańsk is the only applicant who received funding from the Medical Research Agency (ABM) in the last competition for the implementation of two projects. High evaluation of the applications places our scientists’ research among the leaders of the third round of the competition for research and development activities in the field of non-commercial clinical trials. Funds for implementation was received by following projects:

• Evaluation of the effect of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cell preparation (WJMSCs) in the treatment of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases, whose leader is Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Medical Immunology of the MUG, funding in the amount of PLN 12 514 945,60

• Use of nivolumab (N) followed by chemotherapy: bendamustine, gemcitabine and dexamethasone-BGD with autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma refractory to 1-line treatment, whose leader is Prof. Jan Maciej Zaucha, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Haematology & Transplantology of the MUG, funding PLN 16 936 003,71.

The objective of the first project is to assess the safety and efficacy of therapy with Wharton’s jelly cells (MSC) in patients with diseases associated with pulmonary fibrosis, i.e. (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis after COVID-19. The project will be implemented in the Department of Pneumology and Allergology and the Department of Medical Immunology of the MUG. The second study aims to improve the treatment outcomes of first-line refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) patients by adding BV to BGD chemotherapy followed by the use of BV as maintenance therapy after AHCT. HL accounts for about 0.5-1% of cancers and about 12% of lymphomas. In Poland, the number of new cases is approximately 700 per year.

– Mainly young people are getting sick, which is a big social problem. Approximately 70-85% of patients with advanced HL (grade 3 and 4) can be cured with 1-line chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the prognosis of resistant patients is bad – explains Prof. Zaucha. – The probability of three-year progression-free survival is only 30-40%, and long-term overall survival does not exceed 50%. These patients require a new innovative approach to improve prognosis.

Tomasz Smiatacz, M.D., Ph.D., D. Sc.; photo: Paweł Sudara/MUG

As part of the Express Call to fund research on “COVID-19” competition funded by the Medical Research Agency funding in the amount of PLN 3 411 774,59 Phase III clinical research evaluating the efficacy and safety of Avigan (favipiravir) compared to standard care in accordance with the current AOTMiT recommendations in patients with SARS-COV-2 infection, whose leader is Tomasz Smiatacz, M.D., Ph.D., D. Sc., Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the MUG.

The Medical University of Gdańsk is one of greatest beneficients of MRA contests supporting academic clinical research. In 2020 our University has signed 8 contracts for total amount of PLN 114 986 356,07, conceding only to the Warsaw Medical University (11 contracts for total PLN 126 729 475,80). The Department of Non-Commercial Clinical Research of the MUG headed by Magdalena Leszczyńska-Wiloch, Pharm. D., Rector’s Representative for Clinical Research, is a unit responsible for realisation of projects in this area. Since 2020, within the frame of Academic CRO Unit, it’s realising 3 projects.

Magdalena Leszczyńska-Wiloch, Pharm. D.; photo: Paweł Sudara/MUG

– Beginning of clinical research at the MUG in the sponsor’s role is a great opportunity for development of academic staff and a big organisation challenge – says Leszczyńska-Wiloch, Pharm.D. – The team is young, admittedly, but also determined to realise projects planned by excellent scientists of our Uniersity. Together we want to engage in work on the concept of substantive, budget planning as well as realisation stage. We intend to share our knowledge and experience.

Detailed information about the range of activity and projects realised by the Department of Non-Commercial Clinical Research of the MUG are available at clinicalresearch.mug.edu.pl.