DESTINY GASTRIC 05

Dr Hossam Abdulkhalek, MD MSc CPHQ FRCP (London) FRCP (Edin), Consultant Medical Oncologist, and Divisional Clinical Director for Diagnostics & Cancer Services at Altnagelvin Hospital based in the Western Health & Social Care Trust recently shared some fantastic news with OGCancerNI. Dr. Abdulkhalek shared that the North West Cancer Centre has successfully recruited first patient to the DESTINY‑Gastric 05 clinical trial, marking an important milestone in advancing targeted therapy options for gastric cancer. Destiny – Gastric 05 is a global, multicentre study evaluating Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T‑DXd) with Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) and with Chemotherapy (Capecitabine) in patients with HER2‑positive advanced gastric or gastro‑oesophageal junction cancer who did not have previously received treatment. The trial aims to refine precision oncology approaches and improve outcomes for this challenging disease. As of June 2026, the North West Cancer Centre is the only centre in the whole of Ireland delivering this landmark trial and one out of 10 centres in the whole UK. This recruitment reflects the dedication of the NWCC UGI Oncology Group and the collaborative spirit across whole region cancer research network.