VICTIMS of York's asbestos timebomb are taking part in trials of new types of chemotherapy, which may offer sufferers fresh hope.

Scores of people who inhaled deadly asbestos dust while working at York Carriageworks have gone on over the years to develop the cancer mesothelioma. The disease has traditionally proved very difficult to treat. But York Hospital chest consultant Dr Alan Hunter has revealed that a small number of selected patients with the illness from York have been participating in a trial involving a new form of chemotherapy, using platinum-based drugs.

Another trial with a different type of chemotherapy had recently been approved as well.

He said the treatments offered the hope of improved quality of life for at least 60 per cent of people, improved survival for a number of people and long-term remission for a small percentage of people.

Meanwhile, Dr Hunter has given a cautious welcome to news of a new drug which is also said to offer fresh hope for mesothelioma sufferers.

The drug, Almita, which has just been approved for use in the UK, is not a cure, but is said to improve survival rates for patients when combined with another drug already is use, Cisplatin.

Experts involved in trials of the drug reportedly believe it is the most significant development in the fight against the disease in years.

But Dr Hunter said that, while it did seem a "very interesting drug," he would not rush to prescribe it for his patients.

He said there had been many instances of drugs that had failed to live up to initial expectations, and it would be really important to get clinical trial evidence.

Updated: 08:00 Monday, October 13, 2003