In a remarkable development which could lead to a miracle win against cancer, a small clinical trial has found that every single rectal cancer patient who were treated with an experimental drug were “cured”.
The New York Times reported that in a small clinical trial conducted by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 18 patients took a drug called Dostarlimab for around six months, and in the end, every one of them saw their tumours disappear.
Dr Luis A Diaz J of New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said this was “the first time this has happened in the history of cancer”.
According to experts, Dostarlimab is a drug with laboratory-produced molecules and it acts as substitute antibodies in the human body.
Physical exam, endoscopy, PET or MRI scans cannot identify the malignancy, experts say. Dostarlimab is a “possible treatment” for one of the worst tumours.
According to the New York Times, clinical trial patients received chemotherapy, radiation, and invasive surgery that might cause bowel, urinary, and sexual problems. The 18 study participants expected to have these procedures after the trial. Surprisingly, no therapy was needed.
Complete remission in every case is “unheard of,” specialists say.
Dr Alan P Venook, a colorectal cancer expert at the University of California, said this is “unheard-of”. He called it a “world-first”.
Not all individuals in the medication trial experienced major difficulties, according to experts.
Oncologist Dr Andrea Cercek told the New York Times that the cancer-free patients later shed many joyful tears. Doctors said study participants took Dostarlimab every three weeks for six months. “Their cancer stages were identical,” doctors said adding that the rectum cancer was advanced but had not spread.
At the time of the publication, no patients had chemoradiotherapy or surgery, and no progression or recurrence had been documented during follow-up.
Cancer researchers said the medicine seems promising but needs a larger trial.
