Current location:business >>
The cancer drugs that could improve survival rates if given to patients in the morning
business15638People have gathered around
IntroductionGiving cancer patients immunotherapy early in the morning rather than in the afternoon could improve ...
Giving cancer patients immunotherapy early in the morning rather than in the afternoon could improve survival rates.
A study has found that people with terminal lung or skin cancers lived twice as long if they received immunotherapy drugs — which help the immune system destroy cancer cells — at the start of the day instead of after lunchtime.
The best results were seen in those treated at about 7.30am. They lived on average another two-and-a-half years.
The researchers who led the trial, published in the European Journal of Cancer, think this may be due to the immune system being more active very early in the day.
Previous studies found there are higher levels of immune cells circulating in the blood in the early morning.
Giving cancer patients immunotherapy early in the morning rather than in the afternoon could improve survival rates, a new study has found (Stock Image)
Immunotherapy drugs stop the proteins from binding to T-cells, effectively turning the immune system back on, enabling it to seek and destroy cancerous growths. Pictured: A graphic showing cancer cells
As well as fighting off viruses and bacteria, these can attack cancer cells.
It's thought this is due to the circadian rhythm — our body clock — getting the immune system ready to face any daytime threats from infectious agents, such as in food or transmitted via interacting with people around us.
READ MORE: Alarm over insulin shortage as Brits battling type 1 diabetes fear they'll 'die within days' without access to life-saving drug
AdvertisementImmunotherapy drugs, such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have transformed cancer care in the UK over the past decade or so.
Since 2011 when the first immunotherapy drugs were licensed in the UK for the treatment of malignant melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer), average survival time has risen from six months to five years or more.
Most of these drugs — which can cost up to £100,000 per patient per year — work by attaching to a protein called PD-L1, which is produced in large quantities by cancer cells.
The protein switches off T-cells, defender cells released by the immune system, rendering them unable to attack the cancer.
Immunotherapy drugs stop the proteins from binding to T-cells, effectively turning the immune system back on, enabling it to seek and destroy cancerous growths.
The theory is that giving immunotherapy at the start of the day would supercharge this response, as there are more T-cells circulating then.
This follows previous research that showed people given the flu vaccine early in the day produced much higher levels of antibodies than those given the jab later.
Again, the thinking is that the immune system is more active then, so responds much more vigorously to vaccines.
The researchers, from a number of bodies in France — including the PSL Research University in Paris — analysed data from 361 patients with lung or skin cancer that had spread and who were treated with immunotherapy drugs between 2015 and 2021.
Their survival rates were compared with the usual time each patient received treatment — most had roughly the same slot every week or two weeks.
The theory is that giving immunotherapy at the start of the day supercharges a person's immune response, as there are more T-cells then. Picture: Molecular model of an antibody
The results showed those treated before noon survived an average of 30 months; after that average survival was 15.9 months.
Earlier studies also involving the timing of cancer treatments reached similar conclusions.
Now two larger trials are under way in China and the U.S. to see if more lives could be saved just by giving drugs in the morning. The results are expected in the next couple of years.
Dr Pasquale Innominato, a cancer specialist at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor, Wales, who is also researching the effect of earlier drug delivery, said the findings have the potential to shake-up NHS patient care.
'We need to see results from the bigger trials, but all the evidence so far shows that, whatever type of immunotherapy drug is used and whatever type of cancer it is, there are benefits from giving treatment earlier in the day.'
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Gateway news portal”。http://saintkittsandnevis.downmusic.org/news-73c998962.html
Related articles
Wayne Bennett, at 74, signs a 3
businessBRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The 74-year-old Wayne Bennett has ended speculation about his coaching fu ...
【business】
Read moreWorld Internet Sci
business(Xinhua) 15:27, November 08, 2023People visit an exhibition at the World Internet Science and Techno ...
【business】
Read moreOlivier Awards 2024: Sarah Snook stuns in a black velvet dress ahead of Best Actress win for her one
businessSarah Snook wowed in black velvet as she arrived at the Olivier Awards 2024 - where she won Best Ac ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
- Guardians ruin Francisco Lindor's Cleveland homecoming, trip Mets 3
- Biden to host Iraqi leader as Mideast tensions soar, raising more questions about US troop presence
- Jiangsu continues supporting technological innovation of industries
- China ushers in its first WorldCon to embrace magic future
- Georgia QB Jaden Rashada sues Florida coach, others over failed $14M NIL deal
- China successfully launches liquid oxygen
Latest articles
Wayne Bennett, at 74, signs a 3
Xi, Lula congratulate seminar on exchanges
China's parachute system makes controllable landing of rocket boosters
Lok Sabha election 2024: Why do India's elections take so long?
It's so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees
Chinese scientists develop fast
LINKS
- KC Current owners announce plans for stadium district along the Kansas City riverfront
- Suspect arrested in break
- Danny Mendick recalled, John Brebbia activated by struggling White Sox
- Jury: BNSF Railway contributed to 2 deaths in Montana town
- Welcome to Britain's strictest estate: How neighbours have to follow a 32
- Donald Trump trial LIVE: Michael Cohen says ex
- Nelly Korda puts bid for 6th straight victory on hold after withdrawing from Los Angeles tourney
- Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice: Lose his arm or lose his life
- Serie A title, second star and derby: Inter takes it all with win over Milan
- Spanish women among top Laureus winners and Djokovic is world sportsman of the year