Patients Own Stem Cells Cures Advanced Skin Cancer
A 52 year old man suffering from Stage 4 melanoma seemed to have a new life when he responded to an experimental treatment with amazing results. The patient had a complete remission of his advanced deadly skin cancer after an experimental treatment that revved up his immune system to fight the tumors. The patient, once given less than a year to live, is now living a tumor free life for past two year. The treatment he has received successfully is called immunotherapy.
It is worthwhile to add that Melanoma is a cancer in the skin cells that make pigments and cause skin to tan, as part of the body’s attempt to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
Immunotherapy has become the most promising approach to late-stage, death-sentence skin cancers. Cassian Yee, M.D., an associate member of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center however informs that this was an isolated case and he stressed more research. “This is only one patient,” said Dr. Yee.
Nine patient took part in this experimental melanoma treatment program and the first three patients, who received a smaller dose, had no response at all. Also, some other patients who received the same dose didn’t respond as well as patient number 4 did, but did saw some improvement.
Source: The National Ledger
Filed under Cancer, Health, skin
