Doctors hail drug that spares bladder cancer patients ‘life-changing’ surgery
Summary
A new drug called durvalumab has been shown to help treat aggressive bladder cancer without needing to remove the bladder. In a trial, adding durvalumab to chemotherapy and radiation lowered the chances of cancer returning and helped patients avoid major surgery.Key Facts
- Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer worldwide.
- Advanced bladder cancer often requires surgery to remove the bladder, which affects how patients pass urine.
- Durvalumab is an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system find and destroy cancer cells.
- A trial of 54 patients combined durvalumab with chemotherapy and radiation.
- 85% of patients in the trial saw no return of cancer after treatment, compared to 60% with just chemotherapy and radiation.
- The treatment helps preserve the bladder, which keeps patients’ daily life and independence better.
- The trial was led by the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and funded by AstraZeneca and the University of Birmingham.
- Experts say this approach could change standard care by offering effective treatment with fewer side effects.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.