It’s a result never before seen in the history of cancer care. An investigative drug recently eliminated rectal cancer in every patient who received this treatment in a small clinical trial.

Yates B. Cancer trial shows “unprecedented” results as 100% of participants see cancer disappear. CBS News. June 11, 2022.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center administered the drug to 18 patients who had been diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Sukheja B, ed. “First time in history”: cancer vanishes for every patient in drug trial. NDTV.com. Updated June 7, 2022.

Study details

The study took place over 6 months and, at the end of the trial period, cancer was undetectable in every patient involved. Physical examination, endoscopy, and PET and MRI scans could not confirm the presence of any cancerous cells.

During the trial, patients took dostarlimab once every 3 weeks for 6 months total. Each patient had already completed various cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or invasive surgery.

Thanks to the results of the trail, no patient required any further treatment.

Hope for the future

Many doctors hope that this treatment will eventually be used for all types of cancer.

“While the results of this study are truly remarkable, it’s important to remember that this was a small trial for a relatively rare type of rectal cancer,” Jeffrey A. Bubis, DO, FACOI, FACP, a hematologist and oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, told MDLinx.

More research is needed, and while I look forward to where this will take us, I think the most relevant take-home message is the importance of offering clinical trial options for all cancer patients.

“This is the only way we will be able to continue to improve outcomes,” he concluded.