In 2020, nearly 340,000 people died from rectal cancer. Now a new treatment that gives hope for overcoming the disease – and perhaps other forms of cancer – may be available within a year.
A recent study by researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 5 found results that were almost unheard of: 14 out of 14 patients were in remission within two years of treatment. Four others are still in treatment
Even better, dostarlimab shows no side effects or drawbacks – unlike other treatments. “Radiation is effective in eliminating the tumor, but it has a negative effect on the patient. Up to 30 percent of those who undergo surgery need colostomy bags, “Dr. Andrea Cercek, an oncologist at Sloan Kettering and co-author of the study, told The Post. ” [Radiation] it can also lead to sexual dysfunction. They get better, but they are not functionally the same. “
According to Chercek, the probability of the 14 cases being in remission is one trillion to one. Based on that, she said: “I am very optimistic about the success.”
She hopes to see the drug approved by the FDA “as soon as possible.”
Andrea Chercek, an oncologist at Sloan Kettering, with patient Imtiaz Hussain, hopes the drug dostarlimab will be monitored quickly by the FDA. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
But Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, a biologist, doctor and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Emperor of All Diseases: A Biography of Cancer, warns that it may be too early to release champagne.
“I was excited that this drug had such an incredible response rate,” Mukherjee told The Post. “I would like to see it repeated in a great experience. This is the result that makes people in our area excited, but also afraid. “
He also warned that the treatment, which he said could be widely used within a year, was aimed at a very specific population.
Cancer experts say dostarlimab may be useful in other forms of cancer – if patients have a specific gene.
“Patients [in the study] “They are carefully selected and deal with a specific form of cancer that is susceptible to this drug,” he said.
According to Cherchek, all 18 cases had a form of rectal cancer in which a gene mutation inhibited their cells from repairing DNA damage.
Cherchek said that only 5 to 10 percent of people with rectal cancer have this gene – which does not work because it does not work well when hiding from the drug. As a result, the drug, which strengthens the immune system, is very effective.
All patients in the Sloan Kettering study had a form of rectal cancer in which a gene mutation inhibited their cells from repairing DNA damage. NEJM
“Cancer of the stomach, pancreas and bladder has cells with these defects in similar percentages,” she said. “He can also work on them. Our plan is to expand and see if it happens. I think it’s very likely. “
Mukherjee said the type of drug used in the study, known as a checkpoint inhibitor, is not new – checkpoint inhibitors have been around since 2014 and prevent cancer cells from hiding from the immune system – but the targeting chosen is stunning.
“Exciting potential”
“Many studies have shown a response rate in patients using this group of drugs, but I have not seen a 100% response rate,” he said. “This rejuvenates the idea of using this family of drugs for other cancers. Its potential to work with other cancers at this rate of response is very exciting. “
Sasha Roth, now in remission, is amazed that she has not had any side effects from dostarlimab. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Trial participant Sasha Roth was days away from checking at Georgetown University Medical Center for chemotherapy rounds – treatments that rarely work against mutated rectal cancer cells – when she went to Sloan Catering for another opinion.
“They went through revisions with the FDA for final approval [to run trials]Roth, now 41, told The Post. “Then I was told that I would be perfect for the treatment. Two months later, in December 2019, I was in treatment. “
Treatment included a 60-minute infusion of dostarlimab every three weeks for a total of nine doses. Roth said he had no side effects and hoped for the best.
Patients Sascha Roth, Imtiaz Hussain, Avery Holmes and Nisha Varughese with researchers Dr. Luis Diaz and Andrea Church. Sloan Catering Cancer Memorial
“After the first month and a half, biopsies showed that the cancer was being eliminated. It just melted, ”she said, still sounding like a man in cloud nine. “Six months later, Dr. Cercek called and asked me if I was sitting down. She was looking at a scanner and told me there was absolutely no cancer. I didn’t cry when I heard the news. Honestly, I was shocked. But I jumped up and down. ”
As for what follows, Chercek said, “We are focusing on rectal cancer, making sure we can approve it and continue our efforts to address other tumors. We also need to understand what these tumors are and the environment in which they live, which makes them so sensitive to therapy. “
Expecting researchers from around the world to work on it, she said: “I think this will be the next big hunt for medical treasures.”
Add Comment