Miracle Double-Lung Transplant Cures German Woman's Cancer (5 minutes reading) 

Cornelia Tischmacher, a 40-year-old art dealer from Berlin, was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2018. Despite surgery and chemotherapy, her cancer returned, and by 2024, she relied on an oxygen tank to breathe. Facing a grim prognosis, Tischmacher discovered a groundbreaking clinical trial in Chicago.

The DREAM program at Northwestern Medicine developed a new double-lung transplant method for patients with advanced lung cancer. Instead of transplanting lungs one at a time, both cancerous lungs are removed simultaneously, the chest cavity is cleaned, and new lungs are implanted. This meticulous approach prevents cancer cells from spreading during the procedure.

In December, Tischmacher underwent the surgery and woke up able to breathe without assistance. Five months later, she shows no signs of cancer. Her case highlights a promising new option for patients with lung-limited malignancies. Since the program's launch, about 70 patients have received this surgery, with only five experiencing cancer recurrence.

Tischmacher's successful surgery offers hope to late-stage cancer patients worldwide, demonstrating the potential of innovative medical procedures to extend lives and improve quality of life.

Source: LINK

 

No Surgeries Needed: Immunotherapy Offers Hope for Early-Stage Cancer Patients (5 minutes reading)

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed a promising new treatment for early-stage cancers. The immunotherapy drug dostarlimab, owned by GlaxoSmithKline, has shown remarkable results in eliminating tumors in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) cancers.

Dostarlimab is a PD-1 blocking agent that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. This drug was used in a phase 2 study involving patients with stage I, II, or III dMMR solid tumors, including rectal and nonrectal cancers. The study included 117 patients who were treated with dostarlimab for six months. The results were impressive: 84 patients had a complete response to the treatment, meaning their tumors were eliminated, and 82 patients avoided surgery altogether. Recurrence-free survival at two years was 92%.

This breakthrough means that many patients can avoid invasive surgeries and preserve their organs, significantly improving their quality of life. The study's success offers hope for extending this treatment to other early-stage cancers. This innovative approach could revolutionize cancer treatment, providing a less invasive and more effective option for patients.

New England Medical Journal