2-years-old girl becomes one of the youngest patients in the world to trial a breakthrough chemotherapy drug

A two-year-old girl has become one of the youngest people in the world to trial an exciting new chemotherapy drug.

Felicity Dawe, from Chester, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type one when she was just three months old when a tumour was found in her neck.

Initial surgery proved unsuccessful, leaving her parents desperate to find a way to keep their daughter alive.

But now she will take an MEK inhibitor at Great Ormond Street Hospital every day for two years to halt, or even reverse, the growth of her tumour.

Doctors said without trying the new treatment, her outlook is 'devastating' because the disease has spread to critical areas of her body.

NF1 affects one person in 3,000 in the UK. It causes tumours to grow along nerves anywhere in or on the body.

It incurable condition can lead to learning disabilities, bone abnormalities and increases the risk of cancer. 

Her father Greg said: 'If these tumours occur in critical areas of the body, such as in Felicity’s case, the outlook for most is devastating.'

He added: 'There is no effective licensed treatment and surgery is often not an option or at high risk of severe nerve damage.'

Currently, MEK inhibitors have shown great success in the British trial, shrinking tumours by up to 50 per cent.

But with continued support it is hoped that the drug will successfully gain licenses with various health authorities and be made available. 

Before being signed up to the drug trial by the Children's Tumour Foundation (CTF), Felicity underwent surgery at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool.

Most of the tumour that was compressing her spine was removed, but months later MRI results confirmed it had begun to regrow. 

Despite her ongoing treatment at GOSH, Felicity will take part in a fun run to raise money for two charities.

Her mother Maria said: 'We’re so grateful to CTF for giving Felicity the chance to trial the MEK inhibitors which give hope to children with inoperable NF tumours.

'We want to show our gratitude by raising funds to enable the vital research to continue.'

Felicity’s parents, along with her four-year-old sister Emmeline, will join the toddler on the Southport Parkrun in Merseyside in August.

The two-year-old, who wears a cervical collar brace to stabilise her neck following her operation, will walk part of the 3 mile (5km) route.

The rest of the course will be spent in her pushchair.

Mr Dawe said:'We’ve chosen these charities because they have already greatly improved the outlook for Felicity’s life and will continue to offer so much hope to our family and other children.'

It comes after the Mail on Sunday revealed that a two-year-old girl also involved in the trial has been able to walk, talk and swallow for the first time. 

Skyler McKenzie, of Tonbridge, Kent, suffers from neurofibromatosis, which causes a large number of tumours to appear throughout her body.

She was diagnosed at just four weeks old, after doctors spotted she was struggling to eat. 

But since Skyler embarked on a revolutionary clinical trial five months ago, the growths have shrunk, allowing her to speak, eat and take her first steps.   

Anyone wanting to donate to Felicity's cause can do so on their JustGiving page or via CTF here. 

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