A redesigned cancer immunotherapy is showing striking early results after decades of disappointment with similar drugs. Researchers engineered a more powerful CD40 agonist antibody and changed how it’s delivered—injecting it directly into tumors instead of into the bloodstream. In a small clinical trial of 12 patients with metastatic cancers, six saw their tumors shrink and two experienced complete remission.

Summary:

A redesigned cancer immunotherapy is showing striking early results after decades of disappointment with similar drugs. Researchers engineered a more powerful CD40 agonist antibody and changed how it’s delivered—injecting it directly into tumors instead of into the bloodstream. In a small clinical trial of 12 patients with metastatic cancers, six saw their tumors shrink and two experienced complete remission.

  • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgEnglish
    21·
    16 days ago

    … in two out of 12 people. This is certainly a promising breakthrough, and a 17% chance of complete remission is a hell of a lot better than zero. It will be interesting to see the results of the Phase 2 trial.

    • Hirom@beehaw.org
      2·
      15 days ago

      For approval, a new treatment has to show it’s better than already approved treatments. Not better than nothing.

      This appear to target difficult to treat cancer so any result is encouraging, especially in a clinical trial.

      • Powderhorn@beehaw.org
        5·
        15 days ago

        Sure, but chemo has such absurd side effects that coming up with a new approach is going to be great even if it’s maybe less effective.