Experimental drug killed off inoperable prostate cancer cells
June 23rd, 2009 Posted in prostate cancerTwo men with inoperable prostate cancer have made dramatic recoveries after being given a single dose of an experimental drug. They were taking part in a trial involving a drug called ipilimumab, a specially-engineered antibody that boosts the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
The pair were given conventional drugs to mop up the male hormones that fuel the growth of prostate cancer, followed by a single dose of ipilimumab. This way many cancer cells were killed off that the men were able to undergo surgery, and both have gone back to their normal lives.
British experts described the results as ‘extremely encouraging’ - but cautioned the work is still at an early stage. A second trial, using higher doses, is planned, but the researchers cautioned that the results would have to be confirmed in further, large-scale studies.
Both patients had late-stage cancer, that had spread beyond the prostate, with one blighted by a tumour the size of a golf ball. Patients in such a condition may only have months to live and are usually offered only palliative care.