Many new generation immunotherapy drugs help lung cancer patients control malignant tumors, can slow metastasis and prolong life.
According to oncologists, in the past, the survival time of patients with late-stage and metastatic lung cancer was only measured in months.
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| Many new generation immunotherapy drugs help lung cancer patients control malignant tumors, can slow metastasis and prolong life. |
Patients suffer a lot of pain at the end of their lives, the main goal of treatment is to control symptoms. However, recently, thanks to new generation immunotherapy drugs, the life expectancy and quality of life of lung cancer patients have improved.
An American study of more than 1,200 patients with advanced, metastatic lung cancer from 2014 to 2017, results published in The Lancet magazine, showed that patients treated with immunotherapy improved their average survival time by about 20 months, higher than the chemotherapy group (12 months).
Lung cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate among cancers in Vietnam. Globocan statistics in 2022 recorded that lung cancer ranked third in the number of new cases with more than 24,400 cases, accounting for 13.5% of the total number of cancer cases in Vietnam, and second in mortality rate.
According to the American Cancer Society, when non-small cell lung cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 65%, but when it has metastasized, the rate is only about 9%. When the disease is detected late, treatment is difficult, and surgery is no longer possible.
In recent years, thanks to advances in medical research, many new drugs have been introduced into cancer treatment, including immunotherapy.
In Vietnam, immunotherapy was licensed by the Ministry of Health in 2017, helping to save the lives of many cancer patients.
However, this method is new, so the cost is relatively high and is not yet covered by health insurance. The Ministry of Health has approved many programs to subsidize 50% of the drug costs of pharmaceutical companies for some medical facilities, reducing the cost to 40-70 million VND per treatment, providing access to drugs for many cancer patients.
At the Oncology Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, most malignant lung tumors treated with immunotherapy are well controlled. Many patients live for more than two years. There are cases where the tumor disappears, and the patient lives for more than 6 years.
For example, Mr. Duy, 55 years old, came to the Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi for examination with a severe cough, numbness and weakness on the right side of his body, and a history of smoking for more than 40 years.
After performing tests, a CT scan of the lungs and an MRI of the brain, the doctor concluded that Mr. Duy had late-stage lung cancer with brain metastasis, and a very poor prognosis. Without treatment, the patient would only live for a maximum of 6 months.
Through extensive immunohistochemistry and genetic testing, the doctor discovered that the patient had the PD-L1 marker, a protein that helps cancer cells “camouflage” into healthy cells. PD-L1 on tumor cells combines with PD-1 on T lymphocytes, causing tumor cells to escape the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors will break this link, helping immune cells recognize and accurately destroy cancer cells.
After consultation, the doctors treated the patient with new generation immunotherapy drugs. At the time of hospitalization, Mr. Duy was depressed and devastated, intending to stop treatment because he thought the disease was in the final stage and there was no hope. The doctor persistently persuaded him, and he agreed to treatment.
For nearly a year until April 2022, the patient underwent 8 cycles of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, 12 cycles of immunotherapy in parallel with a nutritional regimen enhanced with vitamins and minerals to improve physical condition and speed up recovery.
The side effects were minor, mainly allergic reactions such as skin rashes. During the treatment, he thought more positively, walked and cycled regularly to improve his lung health.
The results of the MRI scan in August this year showed that the 3×4 cm brain tumor had disappeared. On the CT scan, the 4×6 cm right lung tumor, the size of a chicken egg, was just a fibrous strip. Lung cancer is one of the most malignant types, with a fast mortality rate, especially in the brain metastasis stage. Mr. Duy's treatment results were surprising.
Similarly, Mr. Nguyen, 54 years old, from Ninh Binh, has stage four lung cancer, the tumor has metastasized to the pleura and brain, and has a life expectancy of about 4-6 months without treatment.
Mr. Nguyen was tested and found to have a very high immune response, up to 90%. The doctor assessed this as a good sign showing the ability to respond to immunotherapy.
After 36 months of treatment, the lung tumor shrank by more than half, and the brain tumor almost disappeared. The patient's brain swelling was gone, he ate well, and was mentally comfortable.
Dr. Vu Huu Khiem, Head of the Oncology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that patients using immunotherapy drugs may experience some side effects such as fatigue, skin rash, loss of appetite, etc., but they are generally milder than traditional treatment methods.
According to Dr. Khiem, to effectively treat immunology, medical facilities must have advanced diagnostic technologies at the cellular and gene levels, to find biological markers, and from there choose the appropriate drug.
Treatment regimens also need to be developed by interdisciplinary doctors in oncology, respiratory medicine, diagnostic imaging, thoracic surgery, and pathology to optimize effectiveness.
Prevent lung cancer by not smoking and staying away from cigarette smoke. Examine and treat acute and chronic lung diseases promptly to avoid progression to cancer.
Lung cancer can be detected very early and accurately with a low-dose CT scan of the lungs. People aged 50 and older who smoke or are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke or have a family history should have a low-dose CT scan of the lungs every year.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/nhieu-loai-thuoc-the-he-moi-giup-benh-nhan-ung-thu-phoi-d227962.html
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