Scientists have have developed a revolutionary three-step treatment that completely cures colorectal cancer in mice without any side effects.
The three-step system, developed by researchers from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, uses nuclear medicine to target and eliminate the cancer and boasts a 100 per cent cure rate.
The findings were published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Science Daily reports that similar treatment have had limited success on hard tumours in the past, making this discovery particularly important.
Researchers say the promising results indicate the treatment plan could be just as successful in humans, with hopes it could also apply to other types of cancer.
The study’s authors Steven M. Larson and Sarah Cheal of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said there was a sever lack in successful treatments for advanced cancers.
“If clinically successful, our approach will expand the repertoire of effective treatments for oncologic patients,” they said.
“The system is designed as a ‘plug and play’ system, which allows for the use of many fine antibodies targeting human tumour antigens and is applicable, in principle, to virtually all solid and liquid tumours in man.
“There is a huge unmet need in oncology, especially for the solid tumours, for curative treatments for advanced disease. This includes, colon, breast, pancreas, melanoma, lung, and esophageal, to name a few.”
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death among cancer patients worldwide. Symptoms can be slow to develop, making it difficult to detect in the early stages.
Some of the most common symptoms include changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss.
Those over the age of 50 are most at risk, which is why regular screening is recommended.