Treating cancer with immunotherapy may accelerate tumor growth in certain patients, according to research recently published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
For the study, researchers assessed immunotherapy treatment outcomes for 155 cancer patients. The treatment failed in eight patients whose conditions declined rapidly after two months of immunotherapy. Tumors in six of the eight individuals experienced a phase of hyperactive growth. During this phase, tumor sized increased between 53 percent and 258 percent.
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When assessing the DNA of the patients, researcher found all six of the individuals who experienced hyperactive tumor growth shared amplifications in the MDM2 gene family. The study authors concluded "further investigation is urgently needed."
The study's findings build upon growing research highlighting the limitations of immunotherapy, according to a report from STAT.
Jennifer Temel, MD, clinical director of thoracic oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who was not involved with the study, responded to STAT via email regarding the study's findings.
"The challenge for oncologists is to balance our excitement and enthusiasm with this reality and be sure to communicate honestly and effectively with our patients," said Dr. Temel.
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