New cancer treatment could replace chemotherapy in 10 years, HKU expert claims
Immunotherapy to become cornerstone of care in city after good results seen in 200 patients at public hospitals
A new therapy that kills cancer cells by boosting the body’s immune system is taking off in Hong Kong and might replace chemotherapy within a decade, a University of Hong Kong medical expert claims.
About 200 cancer patients in the city have already received the treatment and “most saw good results”, even in would-be terminal cases, said Thomas Yau Chung-cheung, clinical associate professor at HKU.
The immunotherapy was hailed as a global medical breakthrough three years ago and pharmaceutical companies around the world have been competing to develop immunotherapy drugs for different types of tumours. Such medications are expected to be on the market in the next 10 years, Yau said.
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The researchers hope to publish their findings after having a total of 500 patient cases targeting cancer cells in the lungs, kidneys, skin, head and neck, as well as leukaemia and melanomas.
“The development of immunotherapy is now the new trend in cancer care. It is likely to replace chemo gradually and become the cornerstone of treating tumours,” Yau said.
Immunotherapy ... is likely to replace chemo gradually and become the cornerstone of treating tumours
“So far the patients who are suitable for immunotherapy are seeing good results, and it can even treat cancer patients in the late stages. But of course we still need time to observe the long-term safety of the drugs.”