In the case of melanoma, Lang, a renowned medical oncologist in her own right, and her team found better results when using a combination of drugs and immunotherapy before any surgery to remove the tumor. As a result, last year Prof Skoye became the first brain cancer patient to receive combined pre-operative immunotherapy.
He was also the first person to receive a vaccine personalized to the characteristics of his tumor, which enhanced the drug’s cancer-detecting capabilities.
Professor Scoyer said he was feeling healthier after months of difficult treatments at the start of the year, dealing with seizures, liver problems and pneumonia.
“I feel the best about young people,” he said, adding that he was back to exercising every day – which for him usually means a casual 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) jog.
“This of course doesn’t mean my brain cancer is cured…but it’s nice to know it hasn’t come back so I have more time to enjoy life with my wife Katie and my kids .
The results so far have generated considerable excitement, as the duo may be on the cusp of a discovery that could one day help the estimated 300,000 people diagnosed with brain cancer each year around the world.
Prof Skoyer and Prof Long have previously said the chance of a cure is “remote” but they hope the experimental treatment will extend Prof Skoyer’s life and soon be translated into clinical trials for glioblastoma patients.
They are currently reviewing a scientific paper detailing the results of Professor Scoyer’s first week of treatment, but Professor Long stressed they are still a long way from developing an approved and regulated treatment.
“We’ve generated a whole bunch of data to lay the groundwork for the next step so we can help more people,” she said.
“We’re not there yet. What we really need to focus on is demonstrating that this preoperative combination immunotherapy-type approach works for many people.”
Roger Stupp – for whom the current treatment for glioblastoma is named – told the BBC earlier this year that Prof Skoye’s prognosis was “grave” and it was too early to tell whether the treatment would be effective. premature.
He added that while Mr Scolyer’s early results were “encouraging”, he would be excited to see him relapse-free at 12 months, or even 18 months.
Professor Scholer said he was already proud of the data generated by his treatment and thanked his family and medical team for supporting “this experiment”.
“I’m proud of the team I work with. I’m proud of their willingness to take the risk and go down this path.”
“[It] Offering some hope, perhaps this is a direction worthy of more formal investigation.
