Cancer Treatment Breakthroughs in 2023: Are We on the Verge of a Cure?
The year 2023 has seen numerous groundbreaking advancements in cancer research and treatment, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
From new methods of radiation therapy to vaccines and bone marrow transplants, it’s clear that we are entering a “golden age” of cancer treatment.
Here are just a few of the innovative approaches that have made headlines in 2022:
Petri-dish bone marrow
Scientists from Oxford University and the University of Birmingham have made a significant breakthrough in bone marrow research by creating the first “organoids” of bone marrow.
By growing human stem cells in a 3D scaffold, they were able to replicate human bone marrow and produce the major cell types found in the bone marrow. This development could lead to a more personalized approach to therapy and better outcomes for patients.
FLASH radiation therapy
FLASH radiation therapy is a new, faster, and less painful approach to radiation treatment that has been found to be safe and effective in the treatment of bone cancer.
It delivers over 300 times the dosage of traditional radiation therapy in a fraction of a second and has been shown to fully relieve pain in some patients. This innovation could result in higher cure rates for cancer patients.
Immunotherapy
A study conducted in June found that antigen vaccinations in patients with advanced melanoma were able to halt the growth of cancerous tumours and stimulate an immune response. These vaccines are often personalized to an individual’s DNA and can be less toxic than chemotherapy.
Cancer survivor Mark Lashway, 67, was one of the first to receive such a vaccine, which took him from a 15% survival rate to having his tumours completely disappear.
Base editing
Base editing, a technique that allows for the alteration of DNA bases, has also shown great potential in cancer treatment.
In the case of a 13-year-old leukaemia patient, doctors were able to modify T-cells, a type of white blood cell, to not attack the patient’s body and not be killed by chemotherapy drugs. These modified T-cells can then find and destroy cancerous T-cells.
CAR-T therapy “IMAGINE”
Immuneel Therapeutics, an Indian biotech startup, began clinical trials for their CAR-T therapy “IMAGINE” in June. This therapy, which is used to treat blood cancer and is being studied for use in other types of cancer, has not previously been available in India. Internationally, it can cost upwards of $350,000 per dose.
Immuneel is working to bring the cost down and provide an affordable alternative for Indian citizens who have exhausted other treatment options.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many significant advancements that have been made in cancer research and treatment in 2023. It’s clear that we are making significant progress in the fight against cancer, and there is reason to be hopeful that a cure may be within reach.
