Antineoplastic results create optimism for finding possible treatments

Springfield, Missouri (KY3)-This is news that has been resonating around the world and bringing new hope to people dealing with cancer. No, it’s not a cure. But perhaps it’s a major development in the ongoing battle.

This week, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York unveiled the surprising results of a six-month drug trial involving a group of 18 patients with rectal cancer who were all cured in an unprecedented success story. ..

“In the history of oncology, we have never seen that all patients who received this drug showed a complete response, that is, the tumor was complete (using) only the drug. “It disappeared,” said Dr. Andrea Cercek. Oncologist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The drug, called dosterlimab, is a monoclonal antibody that was approved for use last April and does not directly attack cancer, but it works in the immune system.

“The patient’s immune system is already interested in fighting this cancer,” Cercek explained. “And when given a checkpoint inhibitor like Doster Limab, it releases the brakes on the immune system, mobilizes many immune cells and begins the fight against cancer. In this case, they in all patients it. I fought so well that my cancer was completely gone. “

It’s too early to know if this is really a turning point in the fight against cancer, but experts in this field call it amazing news. However, they also point out that the study involves a small group that shares all the genetic mutations that prevent cells from repairing damage to DNA.

“All of these cases were in the early stages (cancer),” Cercek added. “This is the first time this treatment has been used for early-stage rectal cancer, with a far more profound and far more surprising response than was seen in advanced disease.”

It is unclear how effective this drug is in other types of cancer and further research is needed.

“What we want is to reproduce these findings in other tumors such as gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bladder cancer,” said Cercek. “If that works, those tumors may also save the patient’s surgery and radiation.”

“It can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life and survival of patients with rectal cancer,” added Dr. William Dahat, director of the American Cancer Society.

Those words were music that reached the ears of Dave Redford and his wife Laura, who visited Cox South Hospital in Springfield on Wednesday. Ledfords, who have been together for 42 years, are closely following the news as it could be their last hope.

Laura, the mother of two daughters, was diagnosed with rectal cancer three years ago.

“She was in remission, and then it just came back with revenge,” Dave said. “Now it spreads to her lower body and she can no longer walk. It was hell. All the pain and medicine. She is not the same person, so the one you love will experience it. It’s hard to see. “

The word that could be a breakthrough for cancer, as it is currently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given a survival time of only 6 months, is slim but hopeful in otherwise dark scenarios. It is a light full of.

“When we heard about it, we thought it was the best thing in the world,” Dave said. “Sign up! I know it’s still in the trial stage, but I’m going to do anything at this point. It’s been three months since she was told she had six months to live. So we settled on a tiny bit of light, but the light went through. I hope this new product helps her. Everyone is praying for her. You too are for her. I hope you pray. “

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