I was aware that immune therapy stimulation was being
trialed for some years now but I wasn't aware that there
had been a report of such a success. I do however think that the
results need to be interpreted with caution.
So far as I can tell from this article this is a phase I
clinical trial which has only involved one patient - or
perhaps more patients, but they have only reported on the
successful case. I would also like to know how they define
a 'cure'. I gather that the patient is back at work but
have they actually gotten rid of all the tumour, or is the
residual disease just too small to be detected
radiologically, something that is not uncommon even with
conventional chemotherapy. Although the article claims to
have cured him, they would need to have followed him up
being disease free for at least 5 years before they could truly make that claim.
I wonder why they decided to try this out in patient with what sounds like a
primary hepatoma, a cancer which is particularly uncommon
in the West? Why not try it out in someone with liver
metastases from colon cancer or breast cancer something
much more clinically relevant in our society.
All in all very interesting and encouraging results, I'd love to read more on this.
