Gary Foster, aged 27-years, suffering from testicular cancer with a 60% survival ratio, was due to get married this month. He died after being given twice the amount of chemotherapy drugs prescribed by his doctor in a government-funded medical trial.  It is reported that his death was due to an error in setting up of the trial on University College London Hospital’s (UCLH) computer system.  A second patient survived a similar mistake; unfortunately Mr. Foster did not prove to be so lucky.

On suspecting the patients had been given overdoses, the Medical Research Council (MRC) instead of immediately calling the hospital, wrote a letter that a UCLH nurse opened only two days after the death of Mr. Foster.

Raising questions about the safety of medical testing in Britain, Colleen, Gary’s mother says he was slowly poisoned to death, though they thought he seemed tired because of the chemotherapy.  Similarly, six men died at Northwick Park Hospital, North London, two years ago in what is known as the Elephant Man case, when their bodies swelled up after being given TGN1412, an experimental drug.

Since, ULCH has been forced to suspend the trial of TE23 after the death of Mr. Foster, though it is still being continued at other UK hospitals.  TE23 is being tested to find out whether a combination of five drugs is more effective in treating testicular cancer, which has a 95% survival rate if caught early, than the standard three drug treatment.

Mr. Foster was advised about the TE23 trial and told, if he went with it, his survival chances would be higher.  His fiancée, Paula Collins, 35 talking to Sunday Times said that they thought it was fantastic news, as being involved in the trial meant Gary had a better chance of surviving and that greater and better care would be taken of him.  The trial sister at UCLH told them that they were lucky that Gary was selected as part of the trial and would be monitored for 10-years.  Since, testicular cancer was curable; there was no need to worry.

Visiting the UCLH between June and September 2007, Mr. Foster on seven occasions received 30,000-units of bleomycin, one of the five drugs, instead of the recommended 15,000-units.

There has also been a third death at a different hospital, after a nurse or doctor mistakenly gave an overdose of the same drug to the patient.  However the MRC, the government body running the trial says the patient’s death has not been directly caused by the drug.

An inquest shows that Mr. Foster’s health deteriorated soon after taking the drugs and he developed a dry cough, showing his lungs had been damaged due to an overdose of bleomycin.  The lung damage proved fatal.

While, UCLH has offered its deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Foster’s family and friends, more checks and measures need to be introduced to make medical tests safer.  And though, MRC is reviewing its trial procedures; Ms. Collins warns caution should be exercised when participating in trial tests.