![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cheshire-Photographer-Paul-Kyte-the-first-UK-patient-on-the-GCHD-clinical-trial-e1747825170356-673x1.jpeg\")
\nDr Saif said:<\/p>\n
A Liverpool man is the first person in the UK to be treated with a groundbreaking therapy aimed at tackling a serious condition caused by life-saving cancer treatment \u2014 and it\u2019s happening right here in the city.<\/p>\n
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, based in Liverpool, is leading the way with a new clinical trial targeting Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD), a painful and potentially life-threatening illness that can affect cancer patients following stem cell or bone marrow transplants.<\/p>\n
55-year-old Paul Kyte from Frodsham is the first patient in the country to receive the new treatment as part of the INCA34176-254 trial, and he\u2019s hoping it will mark a turning point in his recovery.<\/p>\n
Paul, a professional brand photographer, had to put his life and business on hold after being diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) \u2013 a rare blood cancer \u2013 in 2021. After months of transfusions, intensive chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant at Clatterbridge in October 2022, he entered remission. But just as things were looking up, Paul began experiencing troubling new symptoms.<\/p>\n
Paul, 55, who lives in Frodsham in Cheshire, first spotted a problem in 2021 when he was particularly busy with work. \u201cI just thought I\u2019d overdone things,\u201d he said. \u201cI noticed I was becoming tired more easily, breathless, and just felt generally unwell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although initially offered steroid treatment, Paul was given the option to join Clatterbridge\u2019s clinical trial. \u201cThere were no guarantees, but I trust Dr Saif completely,\u201d said Paul. \u201cI\u2019m doing this not just for myself, but for others going through the same thing.\u201dPaul said: \u201cThe build-up of being unwell with GVHD was over nine months and was getting worse. It was interfering with my immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n
GVHD can be very serious, even life-threatening, and Paul was offered steroids to treat it but also given the chance to join the clinical research trial.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said: <\/p>\n
\u201cDr Saif explained there were no guarantees of success but he is hoping it will be effective. I have 100% faith in him, so it did not take me long to decide to join the trial. I am being monitored very closely and the team is fantastic, answering any questions I have. Everyone is so nice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m taking part in this research not only for me, but the people around me, and others who come after me with this condition,\u201d said Paul. \u201cNot a lot of people have heard of GVHD, but it is a very real possibility after a stem cell transplant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDr Saif said:<\/p>\n
\u201cStem cell\u00a0transplants are\u00a0complicated procedures with significant risks but have been proven to be a highly effective way to replace blood cells that have been damaged or destroyed because of intensive cancer treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, GVHD can be a result for some patients whose stem cell grafts start to attack the patient\u2019s body. This can manifest itself in symptoms which vary in severity, and for a small number of patients they can be debilitating and even life-threatening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that this trial can lead to a treatment to lessen or eradicate GVHD and allow patients in remission after their cancer treatment a chance to live a much healthier life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping that this clinical trial will give me an opportunity to get back to full health and eventually start up my business again and build it up as I recover fully. I am really looking forward to that and spending more time with Mollyann.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor three years, I lived in the shadow of what was and what could be. Life, business, everything was put on hold. Recovery wasn\u2019t just about healing \u2013 it was about finding the courage to rebuild, step by step, without knowing exactly what the future would look like.\u200b<\/p>\n
\u200b\u201cRelaunching my business isn\u2019t about me running a marathon. It\u2019s about simply making it to the start line. I have been a professional photographer for over 35 years and absolutely loved it. Cancer may have put my business on hold but I am determined that cancer will not be the reason that I walk away from my career and my passion.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can support Mollyann\u2019s fundraising here<\/a>. Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.\u00a0
\nFind out more about Paul\u2019s work here<\/a>.
\nFind out the latest in Liverpool\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFrom the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n