The results of a new US-based study published earlier this month in the New England Journal of Medicine show that experimental anticancer drugs cure all patients involved in clinical trials for the first time in cancer history. It shows that.
All 12 patients who participated in the clinical trial were diagnosed with rectal cancer and Dostarlimab Unanimously entered remission for over 6 months.
Dostarlimab A drug previously used to treat other cancers, such as endometrial cancer. However, this is the first clinical study to investigate its effectiveness against rectal cancer tumors.
This drug is an immunotherapeutic drug that works by “covering” cancer cells, allowing the immune system to identify them as a threat to the body and then destroy them.
Twelve patients with rectal cancer during clinical trials Dostarlimab Every 3 weeks over a 6 month course.
The plan was for this treatment to be followed up with standard surgery and chemoradiation therapy. However, their cancer appeared to have completely disappeared six months after stopping the medication.
Their tumors could not be detected by physical assessment, endoscopy, PET or MRI scans. These patients were currently cancer-free for a period of 6 to 25 months later, and none of the 12 clinical trial participants had yet required further treatment.
While these results are very positive and show scientific breakthroughs, experts warn against being overly optimistic in proclaiming victory over cancer.
The main reasons experts believe that it is still premature to say that we have found a cure for cancer are:
1.1. This study was tailored to a small subset of rectal cancer
To be considered eligible to participate in a clinical trial, patients had to cover a number of criteria, including having a genetic mutation known as mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd).
Individuals with this type of tumor are usually less responsive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but more vulnerable to the body’s immune response.
However, MMRd rectal cancer accounts for up to 10% of patients with rectal cancer. That is, these results are only applicable to some of all patients with this type of cancer.
It is premature to declare that we have found a cure for the cancer, as the results of this trial may or may not yield similar results for other cancers.
2.2. Small sample size
Given that the study included only 12 patients, experts suggest that larger trials are needed to reproduce these results.
In addition, future trials will require the participation of patients from different ethnic backgrounds to see if race and ethnicity affect the outcome and efficacy of the drug.
3.3. More follow-up is needed to be able to distinguish between remission and healing
Experts are still struggling with the exact time needed to declare a clinical response Dostarlimab As the patient is “cured” rather than considered in remission.
So far, the results of this particular study show an overall response, but more time and additional follow-up is needed to collect data on clinically relevant survival or other outcomes. Is required.
4.4. High treatment costs
Currently, the cost of a single dose is Dostarlimab It’s about US $ 11,000.
This means that the overall cost of treatment can reach about $ 100,000, making it essentially unattainable for most patients in low- and middle-income countries.
Therefore, if further research and research reveals that the drug is beneficial, the cost of the drug must be addressed, at least so that the majority of patients fighting cancer have access to the drug.
