Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Treatment by Australian Researchers
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Synopsis
Australian researchers have made a significant advancement in breast cancer treatment, showing that adding nivolumab to chemotherapy before surgery boosts the cure rate for the most common subtype of breast cancer.
Key Takeaways
- Australian researchers achieve a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment.
- Adding nivolumab to chemotherapy enhances cure rates.
- The trial involved 510 patients with ER+/HER2 breast cancer.
- 25% of patients receiving nivolumab achieved a pathologic complete response.
- The approach significantly improves outcomes before surgery.
Sydney, Jan 23 (NationPress) Researchers in Australia have achieved a significant advancement in increasing the cure rate for the most prevalent type of breast cancer.
An international clinical trial spearheaded by Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Center (Peter Mac) has demonstrated that incorporating the immunotherapy drug nivolumab into the chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer patients prior to surgery can significantly enhance treatment outcomes, as stated in a recent press release from Peter Mac's official website.
The trial involved 510 participants diagnosed with ER+/HER2 — a subtype of breast cancer that represents approximately 70 percent of all cases worldwide — who underwent chemotherapy to reduce their tumors before surgical removal, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Researchers evaluated the impact of adding an infusion of nivolumab versus a placebo during the pre-operative phase on the participants' treatment responses.
The findings revealed that 25 percent of participants receiving nivolumab attained a pathologic complete response (pCR), indicating no detectable signs of cancer post-surgery, in contrast to just 14 percent in the placebo group.
According to Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist at Peter Mac and the trial's leader, “These patients are regarded as likely cured since their tumor was excised and the collected samples from breast and lymph node tissues also showed no visible cancer cells.”
In related news, Russia has announced a revolutionary advancement in cancer treatment with an mRNA-based vaccine aimed at treating cancer patients.
This innovative vaccine, expected to debut in early 2025, will reportedly be provided free of charge to citizens in Russia.
The personalized vaccine, which utilizes genetic material obtained from a patient’s tumor, is projected to cost the state around 300,000 rubles ($2,869) per dose, as disclosed by state-run media.
The announcement was made by Andrey Kaprin, the head of the Radiology Medical Research Centre under the Ministry of Health.
“This vaccine is designed to treat cancer patients rather than prevent tumor formation,” Kaprin asserted.
