New anti-cancer drugs will help to resist advanced melanoma
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Melanoma (skin cancer) is the most difficult form of malignancy for treatment, but today, people suffering from such malignant formations have a chance for a complete cure. In Chicago, experts presented the results of their studies, which had some success in the fight against melanoma. In their experiments, scientists used completely new drugs.
Previously, the attention of specialists focused on direct exposure to cancer cells. This time, scientists decided to investigate the immune system of cancer patients. Experts have developed two new drugs - nivolumab and pembolizumab, the main effect of which was to increase the ability of the immune system to resist the development of malignant education (usually used to treat cancer, drugs that destroy cancers).
Statistics of patients with melanoma are very sad: most patients, from the time of detection of a tumor on the skin, live no longer than six months.
Scientists conducted experimental studies of new drugs on several hundred volunteers. As a result, the mortality rate among melanoma patients became lower. After an experiment in the body, almost 70% of patients increased resistance to cancer. In one patient diagnosed with advanced melanoma and metastases in the lungs, after treatment with new drugs, metastasis disappeared.
Testing nivolumab was carried out together with ipilimumab. The study involved 53 volunteers. As a result, after a year from the beginning of the experiment, 85% of the participants were alive, and two years later, 79%.
To date, research continues. Now in London, experts are testing new drugs and for the treatment of other forms of cancer, but even now scientists can confidently say that new discoveries will revolutionize the treatment of malignant tumors. New drugs help block the path that uses cancer in order to remain unnoticed for immunity.
Regarding side effects, subjects reported increased sweating, in two people scientists recorded a loss of consciousness. However, despite the fact that new drugs show such encouraging results, independent experts note that this is only the first phase of the study. Further tests the scientists intend to conduct on more volunteers and the results will be known in about 12 months.
Previously, a group of researchers suggested an unusual way of delivering drugs to the focus of a cancerous tumor. Specialists have developed fat nanocapsules (liposomes) in which the drug agent was released only after entering the cancer cell. Scientists proposed two forms of liposomes: the first contained adenosine triphosphate, the second - a complex of DNA and doxorubicin (antibiotic). Positively charged peptides and lipids were placed on the surface of the nanocap, as a result of which liposomes were connected to cancer cells. The natural mechanism of trapping external material allowed the therapeutic agents to penetrate into the cancer cells. When DNA molecules reacted to adenosine triphosphate, the release of the drug agent started, which eventually led to the death of cancer cells.
This method of treatment has already been tested in laboratory rodents who have been given breast cancer. After the introduction of liposomes, malignant formation was significantly reduced.
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