A new treatment using immunotherapy is helping some cancer patients avoid surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The drug, called dostarlimab, has shown strong results in people with certain types of tumors. It uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells and has given patients a chance to live normal lives again.
A Life-Changing Treatment
Kelly Spill was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer at just 28 years old. Doctors warned her she might need harsh treatments and surgery. These treatments could affect her ability to have more children. However, she joined a study using only dostarlimab. After a few treatments, her tumor disappeared. She avoided surgery and had no serious side effects. Five years later, she is now expecting her third child.
How the Drug Works
Dostarlimab, sold under the name Jemperli, helps the immune system find and destroy cancer cells. It is especially effective in people with a genetic issue called mismatch repair deficiency, or dMMR. These patients have more mutations in their cancer cells, making them easier for the immune system to target.
Promising Results in a New Study
The latest study followed 117 patients with different cancers, including rectal, colon, stomach, bladder, and prostate cancer. All had dMMR tumors. Participants received dostarlimab infusions every three weeks for six months. Most patients avoided surgery and harsh treatments. About 80% needed no further therapy. Two years later, 92% of the patients remained cancer-free.
Benefits Beyond Rectal Cancer
The success of this study shows that the drug can work for other types of cancer, not just rectal cancer. The key is having the right genetic mutation. Patients who respond well are seeing long-lasting results, often with no signs of the cancer coming back.
Fewer Side Effects
Unlike traditional treatments, which often leave patients with long-term problems, dostarlimab had mostly mild side effects. These included tiredness, skin rashes, and minor irritation. No patients in the study died during the trial.
More Research Needed
Doctors say this treatment is a big step forward, but it is not for everyone. It only works for people with specific genetic changes in their tumors. More studies are needed to confirm long-term success, especially in cancers outside the rectum.
A Shift in Cancer Treatment
For many years, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were the main options for treating cancer. Now, thanks to new research, doctors are exploring less invasive methods. Immunotherapy may become a key part of treatment, especially for younger patients who are seeing rising rates of colorectal cancer.
Genetic Testing Is Important
Doctors advise that all cancer patients should get their tumors tested for genetic mutations. This can help find the best treatment options and may open the door to new therapies like dostarlimab.
Looking to the Future
Researchers hope that this approach will become the new normal for certain cancers. Clinical trials like the one Kelly Spill joined are offering hope to many people. These studies may lead to a future where cancer treatment is less harmful and more effective.
