Researchers at the University of London have developed a drug that forces the human immune system to fight off severe pancreatic cancer, which is fatal in nearly 100 percent of cases. The medicine has no side effects and significantly prolongs the life of patients. The Guardian writes about the new method of treatment.
The drug, called IMM-101, tested 110 people. At the same time, in 85 percent of the studied patients, pancreatic cancer was in the metastatic form - the most aggressive stage of cancer. Those patients who received standard chemotherapy lived on average 4.4 months. However, those who were given IMM-101 survived for at least seven months, and some patients survived for a year or more.
IMM-101 operates as follows. Tumor cells have proteins on their membrane that trick the immune system, preventing it from destroying itself. The well-known methods of activating immunity contribute to the fact that lymphocytes begin to attack not only defective, but also healthy cells. IMM-101 does the same, but is limited to the tumor and does not result in disability.
However, some experts point out that the new drug only marginally increases patient survival rates, although it may extend the life of individuals by several years. More research is needed to prove its effectiveness, the scientists emphasize.