close
close

'The Alarm' star Mike Peters is in cancer remission after Christie drug trial

PA Media The Alarm singer Mike Peters holds hands with his wife Jules on his hospital bedPA Media

The Alarm frontman with his wife Jules, who has also recovered from breast cancer

The lead singer of rock band The Alarm is in remission from an aggressive cancer thanks to an NHS drug trial.

Mike Peters was forced to cancel a US tour earlier this year after he was diagnosed with a fast-growing lymphoma called Richter's syndrome in April.

The frontman from Dyserth, North Wales, has now been given the all-clear after undergoing experimental therapy at Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

The 65-year-old said: “Achieving complete remission thanks to this study was incredible.”

“Phenomenal support”

Doctors now want to find a suitable donor so that he can undergo a stem cell transplant to prevent the leukemia from spreading again.

The singer, who has accompanied U2 and Status Quo on tour, was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) more than 29 years ago at the age of 36.

Five days before he was scheduled to fly to Chicago for a 50-day U.S. tour in April, he noticed a lump on his neck.

The singer was referred to The Christie by the North Wales Cancer Center for a drug trial using a targeted therapy called acalabrutinib in addition to standard chemotherapy.

Although acalabrutinib is already approved for the treatment of CLL, it has not been tested in combination with chemotherapy in Richter syndrome.

PA Media The Alarm frontman Mike Peters on stage with a guitar around his neckPA Media

The Alarm frontman Mike Peters on stage

Peters said it was “amazing” and he felt “lucky” to be in remission.

“Now I have to find the right partner for the stem cell transplant and, if successful, and with the incredible help of the team at Christie, try to find a way to be cured once and for all,” he said.

He also praised the “phenomenal support and prayers” of thousands of fans.

Professor Adrian Bloor, consultant haematologist at The Christie, said: “It is hoped that combining acalabrutinib with chemotherapy will effectively treat Richter syndrome and prevent recurrence.”