New wonder drug capable of 'melting' lung cancer
A new cancer wonder drug, reportedly capable of “melting” lung cancer without chemotherapy, will come at a hefty price unless it is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
William Ward, 70, was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago and instead of chemotherapy, he was put on a trial drug called Keytruda.
Now he has been able to celebrate his milestone birthday with his family after the treatment.
“I’m just glad to be here,” Mr Ward said.
“It means Dad’s still with us and he’ got to his 70th birthday so it’s pretty good, pretty amazing,” son John added.
Keytruda’s found to shrink melanoma tumours, but it has now exceeded expectations in a global trial on advanced stage four lung cancer patients.
Costing between $6000 and $9000 for a single treatment, Keytruda is needed every three weeks.
That means the drug won’t be accessible to many unless it is listed on the PBS or they become part of the trial.
“The cancer cells can deceive the immune system,” Westmead Hospital associate professor Rina Hui said.
“What this drug does is to take away the blindfold and sets free the immune system to fight against the cancer.”
Michael Gordon has been trialling the drug for four years with his deadly tumours shrinking or disappearing with minor side effects.
“You’re always hopeful that there’s something there and for me, there was,” Mr Gordon said.
Dr Hui said compared to chemotherapy, patients have three times more chance of their cancer not progressing when on Keytruda.
It remains unclear if the drug will be included on the PBS.
