In 2024, precision cancer treatment and monitoring for recurrence are reaching a new level, and it is no longer a cycle or a repetition of the past.
The inescapable reality is that millions of people are diagnosed with cancer every year, even at an advanced stage. Patients should listen to the second advice, including national and international experts.
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, prolonged lives, and at the same time, brought huge profits to pharmaceutical companies. According to statistics, the global sales of immunization drugs in 2022 will be more than 40 billion US dollars. However, some patients are taking immunizations more than they need, suffering serious side effects and additional costs. Now, doctors are starting to explore when to stop using it without risking a recurrence. For example, taking a lower dose or for a shorter period of time. However, pharmaceutical companies are not enthusiastic about funding these research projects, and the clinical experience of doctors alone is still limited, and more patients are needed to participate in the research.
According to Weill Cornell Medical College oncologists, it is unclear when it is best to stop immunotherapy and that the best time to stop treating cancer is likely to be individualized.
Immunotherapy, such as the immune checkpoint inhibitors Keytruda and Opdivo, has played an important role in anti-cancer treatment, especially for melanoma, lung cancer, and bladder cancer.
Immunotherapy brings hope for patients to continue their lives, and at the same time, it also creates huge benefits for pharmaceutical companies. However, there are clinical cases that show that some patients may be overtreated, suffering unnecessary side effects and additional costs.
As we enter 2024, oncologists are beginning to challenge when immunotherapy should be stopped, and preliminary studies suggest that lower doses or shorter periods of time are sufficiently effective. However, this observation is further confirmed by a lack of evidence-based clinical studies funded by pharmaceutical companies.
There are also some doctors and patients who worry that by stopping treatment too soon, they may miss the best chance of curing the cancer. Dr. Ratain, an oncologist at the University of Chicago, is recruiting cancer patients to see if the same effect can be achieved with fewer immune drugs. Many cancer centers are not keen to participate in such joint research projects because of their interests.
According to current clinical cases, early discontinuation of treatment can not only reduce the side effects of patients, but also avoid high drug costs. For example, Keytruda has a price tag of $11,115 per dose and Opdivo has a price tag of $14,389. Many cancer patients may be partially covered by their health insurance, but they will still have to pay for it out of pocket.
When can immunotherapy be discontinued? The focus is on exploring more precise and cost-effective methods aimed at reducing unnecessary burden while achieving the desired efficacy. This is a new perspective and a new concept for cancer treatment.
Cancer patients want fewer options for treatments and side effects, longer survival, better quality of life, and less financial burden.
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