World's First 'Trojan Horse' Drug Could Cure Blood Cancer. Know All About It

A revolutionary new type of "Trojan horse" cancer therapy, now being deployed under the National Health Service in England, is giving fresh hope to patients suffering from the blood cancer called 'myeloma'. This highly innovative treatment, belantamab mafodotin, is not only dramatically more effective than existing alternatives, but it also has markedly less toxicity, which could greatly increase survival among patients fighting this currently incurable disease, reported British news website BBC.

Cancer Broke 60-Year-Old's Spine, And Then...

For 60-year-old Paul Silvester from Sheffield, the effect has been life-changing. Initially treated with a failed bone marrow transplant, Paul was diagnosed almost two years ago after his cancer led to several breaks in his spine. A relapse over the Christmas period saw him returned to the frontline — this time with belantamab mafodotin, which he was able to receive via an early access programme at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Paul told us that "within weeks, I was in remission", calling the therapy "absolutely life-changing". Paul has been able to start living life once more. A former history major, he's already made plans to visit Hadrian's Wall and is looking forward to his daughter's graduation.

People would tell me I'm looking real good," he told BBC. "I am living a full, happy, healthy life."

What Is The 'Trojan Horse Cure' For Cancer 

Belantamab mafodotin's unique mechanism of action involves hiding a potent chemotherapy drug inside an antibody, much like the shop-bot antibodies our bodies use to combat disease. These lab-designed antibodies are programmed to home in on specific markers found on plasma cells, the same cells as those targeted in myeloma.

Once they hone in on their target, they attach themselves and are taken up by the cancer cells. Then, similar to the legendary Greek 'Trojan Horse' that penetrated the gates of the city of Troy, they release their toxic payload from inside, killing the cancer cells with deadly precision.

This approach both provides a much more powerful dose of the drug exactly where it's needed while protecting non-cancerous cells, significantly cutting down on harmful side effects.

A New Era for Patients with Myeloma

Though still incurable, myeloma — once known as multiple myeloma — has experienced extraordinary hope with this therapy. Clinical trials found that belantamab mafodotin is comparable to up to three years of disease progression. Response lasting 3 years versus 13 months with traditional therapies.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's National Clinical Director for cancer, hailed the development as "life-changing". He underscored the importance of providing patients more time free from disease, stating, "Even when we don't have a solution to eliminate an illness, raising the quality of life and lengthening remission is very valuable."

At present, as many as 33,000 people in the UK are living with myeloma. The new treatment will only be available to about 1,500 patients annually — the ones who first-line therapies don't work for. The decision to roll it out was made on the back of a positive assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which found it cost-effective for use within the NHS, the BBC report stated.

'Smart Drugs And Human Trials'

Medically, it's referred to as an "antibody-drug conjugate", and this type of therapy is among the most innovative tools in cancer therapy right now. This is a huge cosmic ray of hope for patients battling the disease. It was collaboratively developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), with early research done in the UK, including preclinical research in Stevenage and first human trials conducted in London.

Professor Martin Kaiser from the Institute of Cancer Research, "These are smart drugs. The difference in side effects as compared to regular chemotherapy is just outstanding. Though a small percentage of patients can still have temporary dry eyes or blurred vision from minor leakage of the chemotherapy drug, the overall toxicity is significantly less than other regimens.

Indeed, Prof Kaiser thinks this is a huge step on the road to a "functional cure", forecasting that sustainable long-term remission would be achieved for over half of patients within five years.

Personalised Cancer Treatment

Research has already pushed the use of antibody-drug conjugates beyond blood cancers to other cancers, including certain types of breast, stomach and bowel cancers. The central obstacle is figuring out how to design those antibodies so they home in only on the cancer cells. This is an aim researchers are pursuing with increasing success.

Shelagh McKinlay of the charity Myeloma UK said the recent development was "transformative", and praised the UK's leadership in helping to develop "personalised" cancer treatment. Minister of Health Karin Smyth followed suit, calling the new therapy "evidence that the NHS is leading the way in international cancer innovation".

With thousands of patients about to gain access to this breakthrough, one question remains: Will this Trojan horse be the new weapon that finally turns the tide in our war against cancer? For individuals like Paul Silvester, the answer is already a clear and resounding yes.

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