AN elite cancer centre in the North-East is the only place in the UK to be selected for a major international drug trial.

It will mean women in the region will be the first in Britain to try a promising new treatment for ovarian cancer.

The "magic bullet" treatment, which harnesses the body's own defence mechanism to target and kill cancer cells with radiation, could prolong the lives of ovarian cancer victims.

While the cancer can usually be treated successfully in the early stages, it is usually fatal if it spreads to other organs.

Specialists at the world-renowned Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, will shortly be selecting women for the trial.

Mr Tito Lopes, a consultant gynaecologist at the hospital, said: "We have been approach-ed to take part in a new study. While it primarily involves American centres, we will be the only centre in the UK."

The decision by an international drug company to back a trial at the Queen Elizabeth reflects the success of a similar trial four years ago and the willingness of North-East women to volunteer.

"We recruited very well for the last trial and provided expert advice for the second, follow-up study," said Mr Lopes.

In 1999, the Gateshead hospital hosted a Press conference to announce that North-East patients were the first in the UK to be treated with a revolutionary radiotherapy drug.

The treatment involves infusing a solution into the abdomen which seeks out and destroys cancer cells with a low but effective dose of radiation.

The international Smart trial (Study of Monoclonal Antibody Radio Immunotherapy) was designed for women who appear to have no signs of the cancer following surgery.

The follow up trial - dubbed Son of Smart by Mr Lopes - will see whether the treatment can work with patients where small spots of cancer remain after surgery.

It will determine whether it is worthwhile setting up a national screening service for ovarian cancer.

Mr Lopes said: "We should finish recruiting in a year or so, then we will have to follow the women for five to eight years. There are many women out there who are willing to give up their time to come and help us."