A first-of-its-kind immunotherapy is sparing some rectal cancer patients surgery altogether

For some people with rectal cancer, the standard path has meant chemotherapy, radiation and surgery that can permanently change bowel, bladder and fertility. The US Food and Drug Administration has now granted accelerated approval to Jemperli (dostarlimab) — the first and only immunotherapy for adults with a particular genetic form of locally advanced rectal cancer, found in about 5-10% of cases. In the AZUR-1 trial, 68% of patients assessed (98 of 144) had a complete response still holding at 12 months, 76% showed no sign of cancer at a year or more, and among those who responded, no recurrences were reported after more than two years of follow-up. For responders, that can mean the cancer is gone without the operation they feared.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: tech innovation