technology CAR-T cells is the introduction of cellsimmune systemof the patient is T-cell come out and develop potential (bio-reengineer) to fight cancer of the blood (leukemia) and lymphoma (lymphoma), which isdisease treatment
becausecancerIt can even happen to people who lead a very careful lifestyle with good health care. In addition, there are still many people who are unable to control their weight and have the time to exercise regularly.
This increases the risk of developing various types of cancer. It is the second leading cause of premature death after coronary heart disease as mentioned in the previous article.
But the point that I find interesting is the treatment that has evolved deeply into the cellular level. In this case, the immune system cells are taken out to improve their ability to fightcancer cellsYes, the important thing is that there have been 2 “big news” in the field of cancer treatment in June, which I would like to write for you to read this time.
1.T-cell Receptor (TCR) gene therapy for pancreatic cancer (Source: AP, Jun 2, 2022) Experts know that pancreatic cancer, although infrequent, occurs. But it is a cancer that is almost incurable.
That is to say from the statistics that the United States. Pancreatic cancer is estimated to be diagnosed at 62,210 by 2022 (compared with the primary cancers of prostate cancer and breast cancer). which is expected to be detected 270,000-280,000 Same year income – Source National Cancer Institute)
but forpancreatic cancerThe five-year survival rate was only 11% (for those with prostate cancer. The 5-year survival rate is almost 100% if it has not spread to other parts of the body. while breast cancer The annual survival rate is about 85%.
The news brought by the AP is a new treatment, called TCR gene therapy, that takes a woman’s T-cells, Kathy Wilkes, and develops the potential to “see” proteins present in cancer cells. (but not in normal cells)
T-cells were thus able to eradicate large numbers of cancer cells after a single adoption of TCR gene therapy technology last June.
Although it was only treating one patient, it was a very satisfying result. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 2, 2022. As a result of just one treatment, the size of the cancer was reduced by 72% within six months and then to an unexplained level.
It’s said to be an incredible survival boost because the cancer has already begun to spread to the lungs. However, this treatment is only applicable for cancer cells with the KRAS G12D gene mutated (mutation).
However, the mutation also causes non-small cell lung and colorectal cancers.
Thus, TCR gene therapy is likely to be of great benefit in the treatment of malignant tumors in those organs of the body that are currently the leading cause of death.
2. Dostarlimab is 100% effective in eliminating colon cancer in 12 patients. (Source liverscience.com, June 7, 2022) This is big academic news and even CNN is making the headlines, despite only 12 patients receiving the drug.
Because the results are better than expected in a way that has never been seen before in any type of cancer treatment. The results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 5, 2022.
In this case, the patient has rectum cancer, which is cancer in the pelvis. which the normal treatment guidelines I understand that the atrocity is radiation, chemotherapy and is often followed by rectal reconstruction surgery. It is opened into the large intestine (colostomy). The abdomen must be opened because the rectum is unable to pass stool after surgery.
All patients treated with Dostarlimab had large bulky tumors and 94% were node positive, but after 6 months of 500 mg every 3 weeks for 6 months, tumors were removed. (completely cleared) in all 12 patients
that is, no tumors were found at all. Either by physical exam or by endoscopy PET scan or MRI scan. In addition, when patients were followed for an average of more than 6 months (but some people were monitored for more than 1 year), there were no patients. who need further treatment
In addition, dostarlimab does not have any side effects. Cancer drugs usually have serious side effects in about 20% of the patients treated.
Dostarlimab is a monoclonial antibody, an antibody made from white blood cells that we have seen in the news that this technology was used to treat COVID-19 when there was no vaccine.
In this case, Dostarlimab was originally used to treat endometrial cancer by acting as an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, stimulating our immune system to “see” cancer cells and uterine fibroids. destroy all such cells
An interesting bottom line is that the background to this success comes from a 2017 trial by Dr. Luis A Diaz using Merck’s other type of check point inhibitor, Keytruda, found to be effective in helping to reduce the cancer that is not cancerous. metastatic cancers: in 10% of patients the tumor is completely removed and in the other 1/3, the tumor shrinks in size and increases survival.
Therefore, a trial of the same drug for colon cancer treatment was wanted. But most pharmaceutical companies disagree because they think it’s too risky. because there are already guidelines for treatment
But eventually a smaller pharmaceutical company, Tesaro, agreed to do so.Tesaro was acquired by Glaxo Smith Kline in January 2019 for $5.1 billion.
Although cancer treatment approaches are advancing rapidly. But I will continue to strictly adhere to the lifestyle to reduce the risk of cancer.