Recent social media posts have inaccurately claimed that a single dose of a new experimental cancer drug has led to a woman’s tumor “nearly vanishing” within five days. These posts lack specific details about the drug used, clinical trials, or peer-reviewed sources to substantiate their claims.
Investigations into the subject revealed that the drug dostarlimab, used in a study for patients with specific rectal cancers, required multiple doses over six months for successful treatment. In this trial, all 12 participants achieved a clinical complete response, meaning their tumors were undetectable, but this outcome involved continuous treatment, not a single injection.
Moreover, another drug, amivantamab, showed promising response rates in patients with head and neck cancers, yet also necessitated multiple doses, with responses typically manifesting weeks after treatment began. In both cases, the viral claim oversimplifies the complexity of cancer treatment and inaccurately suggests outcomes were immediate.
Consequently, while advancements in cancer therapy are significant, the generalizations made in social media posts do not accurately reflect the rigorous nature of these studies or the realities of cancer treatment.
- Why it matters: Misleading health information can lead to unrealistic expectations among patients and families regarding cancer treatment. Accurate representation of treatment protocols is crucial for informed decision-making.
- The latest: Ongoing research emphasizes the need for extended follow-ups and larger patient groups to better understand the efficacy of these emerging cancer therapies.
Source: https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/english/viral-claim-about-single-dose-cancer-drug-causing-tumor-to-vanish-in-5-days-is-misleading/
Source: https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/english/viral-claim-about-single-dose-cancer-drug-causing-tumor-to-vanish-in-5-days-is-misleading/