Breast cancer drug breakthrough may save thousands of lives

Doctors say a revolutionary drug could save the lives of thousands of women battling the most aggressive type of breast cancer.

 

A trial showed that the drug, Pembrolizumab, cuts the risk of the disease returning by 37 per cent in women with triple-negative breast cancer.

 

In the trial, the drug was given alongside chemotherapy and compared to the standard treatment and placebo.

 

The immunotherapy drug, known as Keytruda, is currently available on the NHS for lung cancer patients and to those with Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma and bladder cancer.  However, evidence has shown that the drug which stimulates the body’s immune system to defend itself against cancer cells, can be equally potent in beating other types of tumours.

 

The new trial undertaken by researchers at the Queen Mary University of London, involved nearly 1,200 patients in 21 countries.  All patients had triple-negative breast cancer in the early stage, when the disease has not spread.

 

Two thirds received the drug alongside chemotherapy before and after surgery to remove the tumours.  The remainder of the participants received the same chemotherapy treatment, but with a placebo.  The study showed 84.5 per cent of patients given the drug did not see a return of the disease three years after surgery.  The proportion of the group who received chemotherapy on its own was 76.8 per cent.

 

Professor Peter Schmid, clinical director at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, said “We had previously demonstrated that the addition of immunotherapy to preoperative chemo increases the treatment response in patients with triple-negative breast cancer at the time of surgery.

 

“We now have long-term results demonstrating the combination therapy significantly reduces recurrences by approximately 37 per cent, including reduction of secondary breast cancer by 39 per cent.

 

“This means that the cure rate for these cancers is significantly increased.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382