Researchers have made an encouraging breakthrough in the treatment of certain types of cancer with a new immunotherapy approach. According to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 92% of patients who received immune-based treatment and no surgery showed no detectable signs of disease after two years.
The study, led by Dr. Andrea Cercek, aimed to investigate the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors, a relatively new type of cancer treatment that frees the body’s immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. The results show promising early data for patients with rectal, colon, esophageal, stomach, urothelial, small bowel, endometrial, and gastroesophageal junction cancers.
In one notable case, 71-year-old Maureen Sideris was diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer in 2022. She was told that surgery would be her best treatment option, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. However, she opted for the new immunotherapy approach instead, which involved a monthly infusion of dostarlimab. The treatment showed remarkable results, with Sideris remaining cancer-free after two years.
Dr. Cercek believes that this approach could lead to significant clinical complete responses, tumor downstaging, and improvement in quality of life for patients. While immunotherapies have side effects, they are often manageable, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.
The study has already led to changes in treatment guidelines and fast-track designation from the US FDA for treating certain types of cancers. Dr. Cercek plans to continue studying patients who did not respond to the immunotherapy to better understand how to extend the benefits to them. The results offer hope for a more effective approach to treating cancer, particularly in early-stage disease.
Source: https://time.com/7280610/cancer-immunotherapy-dostarlimab-andrea-cercek