A drug could triple survival chances for some bowel cancer patients, research suggests. Pembrolizumab boosts the immune system’s ability to attack cancer. A study found that 59% of patients’ tumours shrank so much that there were no signs of disease when the affected section of their bowel was removed.
This could at least triple those patients’ chances of long-term survival, according to chief investigator Dr Kai-Keen Shiu. It is hoped the drug could one day mean people who respond well can avoid surgery and chemotherapy altogether. M&S's two seater garden bench charms shoppers with striking heart design Dr Shiu, from UCL Cancer Institute, added: “Pembrolizumab has changed the face of cancer treatment.
If patients have a complete response to pembrolizumab it can triple their chance of survival.” The drug was given to people with stage two or three cancers, of types that have more DNA mutations than most. In tests, 32 patients had three doses of pembrolizumab over nine weeks.
The affected part of their bowels were then surgically removed, with 59% showing no signs of cancer. Oncologist Prof Mark Saunders, of The Christie in Manchester , said: “This is a really very exciting new treatment for the 10-15% of patients who have the right genetic make-up.” Pembrolizumab is currently used for later-stage bowel cancer but its use could be extended.
The findings come nearly two years after the bowel cancer death of campaigner Deborah James . Eileen's story Gran-of-five Ei.
