But what exactly is immunotherapy and how can pembrolizumab help? “When given in combination with chemotherapy, this innovative drug – which is a milestone in cervical cancer treatment - harnesses the power of the immune system to attack cancer," Dr Susana Banerjee, consultant medical oncologist and research lead for the gynaecology unit at The Royal Marsden, explains.
Immunotherapy is already offered by the NHS in England for the treatment of other cancers, including bowel, lung, breast and skin. My mum with treated with immunotherapy for stage four melanoma in 2018. She had previously already had two surgeries to remove malignant tumours but when the melanoma metasticised – in my mum's case, to the brain, liver, stomach, bones, lungs – she received monthly IV infusions of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab as a last ditch attempt to extend her life.
Full disclosure, my mum has had immunotherapy three times since 2018 and right now she is, thankfully, in remission. In her individual case, the immunotherapy slowed the cancer's growth, killed melanoma cells and extended her life, buying me precious time with her. Asked whether women with advanced cervical cancer could also expect to go into remission, Dr Angela George, consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden, told GLAMOUR: "Studies have shown that, in combination with chemotherapy, this drug [pembrolizumab] can mean some cervical cancer patients have very good responses, and can go into remission.
Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: i newspaper - 🏆 8. / 89 Read more »