Thousands of patients with cancers of the head and the neck have been thrown through a lifeline by ‘world -changing’ medicine that dramatically spreading the disease.
The injection, called pembrolizumab, helps the immune system to spot hidden cancer cells in the body.
It is currently offered to NHS patients with advanced lung, breast and cervical cancers – but expert believes that it is much wider promise.
Also known under the brand name Keytruda, found a groundbreaking study that the drug kept head and neck cancer remotely for five years compared to 30 months with standard treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
It also reduced the risk that the disease returned elsewhere in the body.
Researchers who present the findings on the American Society of Clinical Oncology Conference in Chicago said that the injection ‘The world could change for these patients’ year longer than the current standard treatments’.
Main and neck cancer is an umbrella term for cancers of the mouth, throat, voicebox, nose, sinuses and salivary glands.
Until recently, experts believed that the main causes of lifestyle-related were, especially smoking and heavy drinking.
The injection is currently offered to NHS patients with advanced lung, breast and cervical cancers – but expert believes that it keeps much broader promise. Shown, Laura Marston (right), 45, who was diagnosed with four tongue cancer in 2019 and participated in the test
The test showed that the drug kept remotely for five years compared to standard treatments. Shown, Laura after the operation
The injection, called pembrolizumab, helps the immune system to spot hidden cancer cells in the body. It is also known under the brand name Keytruda
In recent years, research has suggested that human papillomavirus (HPV) may be responsible for a maximum of 70 percent of the main and neck cancer.
HPV is a common virus spread through close contact, including sex, and is usually harmless. In some cases – for reasons that are not fully understood – however, it can cause cancer -like changes in healthy tissue.
It is already known that the virus causes cervical, anal and penis cancer.
An increase in main and neck cancer, especially among younger and middle-aged, is linked to oral sex.
In the worldwide study, conducted in 24 countries with more than 700 patients with head and neck cancer, 363 Pembrolizumab received by standard treatment.
The rest only had standard treatment.
Pembrolizumab is a checkpoint -inhibitor – It works by helping the immune system to recognize and combat cancer.
Scientists discovered that after five years the cancer returned the cancer in half of the patients who received Pembrolizumab compared to two and a half years in those who received standard care.
Mouth ulcers that do not heal, a hoarse voice and inexplicable nodules in the mouth are all warning signals of the disease
This data shows that in the UK cases of throat cancer have been upstairs, just like in the US (source: Cancer Research UK)
After three years, the risk that cancer that returned somewhere else in the body was also 10 percent lower with those on Pembrolizumab.
Kevin Harrington, a professor of biological cancer therapies at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and consultant-oncologist at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘For patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced main and Nekkanker his treatments.
‘Immunotherapy has been incredibly beneficial for patients with cancer who have returned or spread over the body, but so far it has not been so successful for those who first present with illness that has spread to nearby areas.
“This research shows that immunotherapy could change the world for these patients – it considerably reduces the chance that cancer spreads over the body, at what time it is incredibly difficult to treat.”
Professor Harrington added that the drug dramatically increases the duration of remission of diseases – for years longer than the current standard treatments’.
“It works particularly well for people with high levels of immune markers, but it is really exciting to see that the treatment improves the results for all main and neck cancer patients, regardless of these levels,” he said.
Laura Marston, 45, from Derbantshire was diagnosed in 2019 with stage four tongue cancer after an ulcer does not heal on her tongue. She was later referred to the Royal Marsden, where she came to the process.
“I was so excited to be on a clinical test and knowing that I was in the best hands, was really reassuring,” she said.
Main and neck cancer usually start in the squamous cells that cover the inside of the mouth and throat and in one of two types of HPV positive and HPV negative
‘As part of the test, I underwent two rounds of immunotherapy before I was operated on.
‘In the months after my operation I had to learn again how to eat and talk again, while I also had ten infusions of immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
‘My clinical team was great and continued for everything I needed. I am surprised that I am here six years later, this treatment gave me the gift of life. ‘
Cancers that influence the head and neck are the eighth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, although they occur two to three times more often in men than in women.
According to Cancer Research UK, around 12,500 new cases are diagnosed every year, and the incidents are increasing.
Dr. Lyndsy Ambler, Cancer Research UK Senior Strategic Evidence Manager, said: ‘About 4,100 people die of head and neck cancer every year – that is around 11 people every day.
‘All potential new treatment options for a disease where for decades limited progress has been made are very welcome.
“Pembrolizumab’s potential advantage for people with head and neck cancer can be an important step forward in how we treat the disease.”
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