Current location:world >>
The cancer drugs that could improve survival rates if given to patients in the morning
world1People 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.“Stellar Stories news portal”。http://mauritania.downmusic.org/html-39d599440.html
Related articles
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
worldWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanam ...
【world】
Read moreRichard Osman reveals his food addiction is still 'absolutely ever
worldRichard Osman has opened up about his four decade long battle with a food addiction as he admitted i ...
【world】
Read morePSG star Tabitha Chawinga of Malawi overcomes obstacles en route to Champions League success
worldTabitha Chawinga wasn’t always a prolific scorer. The Paris Saint-Germain star played goalkeeper in ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
- Cost of privately renting homes rises by more than 9% in a year
- PSG star Tabitha Chawinga of Malawi overcomes obstacles en route to Champions League success
- Arsenal crash OUT of the Champions League after losing to Harry Kane's Bayern Munich in the quarter
- Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
- Champions League semis: Bayern hosts Madrid then Dortmund welcomes PSG
Latest articles
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
Dumb, dumber and dumbest! Idiot thieves steal van and take their masks off
Rosie Huntington
Chinese lawmakers deliberate work report of NPC Standing Committee
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
United Arab Emirates struggles to recover after heaviest recorded rainfall ever hits desert nation
LINKS
- Tourists to Yunnan can wake up and smell the coffee
- Box office hit sparks boxing frenzy
- Top 10 earners of 2023 all domestic films, Hollywood's appeal weakening
- Roadside concerts become a hit in SW China's Guizhou
- Ice and snow metaverse experience center in Harbin draws attention
- Int'l photo festival brings fusion of tradition and modernity to China town
- EU releases blocked funds of $6.7 billion to Poland as part of its post
- EU releases blocked funds of $6.7 billion to Poland as part of its post
- Futuristic scene of robots taking over backbreaking farm jobs on horizon
- Chinese judoka Guo collects bronze on opening day of Hangzhou Asiad