Medication alternative for cancer patients uses immunotherapy to avoid surgery, chemo
New cancer research pioneered by Memorial Sloan Kettering points to a strong alternative to chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation for some forms of cancer. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that nearly 80% of patients with various cancer types were successfully treated with only immunotherapy, eliminating the need for traditional treatments such as chemotherapy. This groundbreaking approach has revolutionized cancer treatment and has shown promising results in patients with rectal cancer.
Maureen Sideris, a participant in the trial who was diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer, shared her experience of being treated with only immunotherapy. She expressed her relief at not having to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation and stated that she felt like she had won the lottery. Dr. Andrea Cercek, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Dr. Luiz Diaz spearheaded the research, aiming to develop an alternative approach to traditional cancer treatments that often have negative side effects.
The immunotherapy protocol proved to be especially effective in treating rectal cancer patients, with a 100% success rate among participants in the trial. The treatment targeted tumors with a genetic mutation called mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd), making them vulnerable to checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy that helps the body’s immune system recognize and kill cancer cells. The therapy unmasked tumor cells, allowing the immune system to launch a targeted attack against them.
In the expanded trial involving 103 patients, including 49 rectal cancer patients and 54 patients with other types of cancer, the results were promising. Thirty-five out of the 54 patients with non-rectal cancers saw all signs of their cancer disappear after immunotherapy. For the 20% of non-rectal cancer patients who still required surgery post-therapy, the immunotherapy had a significant impact, shrinking tumors and lowering stage classifications.
Timothy Yap, a medical oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, praised the effectiveness of immunotherapy for multiple types of cancer, emphasizing the potential benefits for patients in avoiding surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The immunotherapy-only approach has now been incorporated into the treatment guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, highlighting its growing recognition in the medical community.
The success of the immunotherapy trial has provided hope for cancer patients seeking alternative treatments with fewer side effects. Some participants from the 2022 trial remain cancer-free years after receiving the initial treatment, demonstrating the long-lasting impact of this innovative approach. The study’s findings offer a glimpse of a future where immunotherapy could become a standard treatment option for a wide range of cancer types, transforming the landscape of cancer care.
