A Salford dad has been given a second chance at life after becoming cancer-free through a groundbreaking clinical trial that could change how the disease is treated on the NHS.
Nick Cleworth, 48, a train driver from Swinton, was diagnosed with rectal cancer in late 2024 after noticing worrying symptoms and seeking medical advice. Scans revealed a tumour roughly the size of a golf ball, which had also spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The diagnosis carried extra weight for Nick, whose father died from bowel cancer at the same age. Faced with the likelihood of major surgery that could have left him with a permanent colostomy bag, he was referred to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester for further treatment.
It was there that Nick was offered a place on the ARTEMIS clinical trial, an early-stage study exploring whether adding a new immunotherapy drug, palupiprant, to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy could treat rectal cancer without the need for surgery.
After beginning treatment in February 2025, followed by radiotherapy and additional chemotherapy, Nick received life-changing news just months later. A scan in July showed no evidence of cancer, and he has remained cancer-free since.
Speaking about his experience, Nick described the emotional impact of the diagnosis but said taking part in the trial gave him renewed hope. He also praised the care he received, saying the support from his medical team helped him stay positive throughout treatment.
The ARTEMIS trial, led by the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds, recruited 140 patients across 22 NHS sites. Researchers are now assessing whether the addition of immunotherapy can improve outcomes and reduce the need for life-altering surgery.
Doctors involved in the study say the results so far are encouraging, with immunotherapy offering a new way to harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer while potentially improving patients’ quality of life.
Now looking ahead, Nick says he is focused on making the most of life, with holidays planned and a return to the hobbies he loves. He has also urged others to consider clinical trials, describing them as not only well-supported but vital in helping improve future treatments.
His story offers a hopeful glimpse into the future of cancer care, as research continues to open new doors for patients across Greater Manchester and beyond.
