A way to fight a deadly form of cancer has been found
Researchers from the University of London have developed a drug that forces the human immune system to fight a severe form of pancreatic cancer, fatal in almost 100 percent of cases. The drug has no side effects and significantly prolongs the life of patients. The Guardian (New drug) writes about the new treatment method 'wakes up' immune system to fight one of deadliest cancers).
110 people participated in the trials of the drug, called IMM-101. At the same time, 85 percent of the studied patients had pancreatic cancer in metastatic form – the most aggressive stage of cancer. Those patients who underwent standard chemotherapy lived an average of 4.4 months. However, those who were given IMM-101 remained alive for at least seven months, and some patients lived for a year or more.
IMM-101 operates as follows. Tumor cells have proteins on their membrane that deceive the immune system, preventing it from destroying itself. Known methods of immune activation contribute to the fact that lymphocytes begin to attack not only defective, but also healthy cells. IMM-101 does the same thing, but is limited only to the tumor and does not lead to disability.
However, some experts point out that the new drug only slightly increases the survival rates of patients, although it can prolong the lives of individuals for several years. Additional research is needed to prove its effectiveness, scientists emphasize.
Article by Dalgleish et al. Randomised, open-label, phase II study of gemcitabine with and without IMM-101 for advanced pancreatic cancer is published in the open access in the British Journal of Cancer – VM.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru
08.09.2016