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London's Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), has developed a drug combination that has been shown to eradicate cancerous tumors from some patients with terminal head and neck cancer.
The Guardian reports that two immunotherapy drugs, called nivolumab or ipilimumab were given to patients with advanced cancer. The majority of patients were able to walk away from the study with no signs of cancer. Patients who received more traditional chemotherapy had a three-month survival rate. This suggests that there may be cancer treatments that can save lives or help those who are currently out of options.
I knew about the trial and I signed up. It proved to be a lifeline.
After eight weeks of treatment, the cancer was completely gone from his throat. He also received chemotherapy and surgery to remove the remaining cancerous cells.
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Ambrose said that although I had to travel biweekly from Suffolk to the hospital to receive the treatment, there were virtually no side effects and I was able continue doing the things I love, such as sailing, cycling and spending time with my family.
The future of drug cocktails as a clinical treatment option is uncertain at best. All patients failed to reach statistical significance in the phase III clinical trial. This is the standard measurement that clinical scientists use in order to determine if the treatment had any effect or if it was just a chance.
Researchers can't prove that the new drug combination actually eradicated these tumors if it fails to meet this benchmark. Patients, who told The Guardian that they felt a new lease of life after receiving the treatment, are not interested in such calculations.
These results, despite not being statistically significant, are clinically meaningful according to Kevin Harrington, an ICR professor of biological chemotherapy therapies and the oncologist who conducted the research trial. To determine if there is a survival advantage for all patients in this trial, we will need to continue to follow up.
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