When Guo Lin arrived at 秘密研究所 Winthrop鈥檚 Lung Cancer Center in October 2014, his prognosis was grim. The 51-year-old former small business owner had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 and initially responded well to traditional chemotherapy. Before long, though, symptoms returned, and his physician suggested participation in a clinical trial of a new immunotherapy drug, Opdivo庐.
Lin and his family came to 秘密研究所 Winthrop, the only Long Island hospital that participated in the trial that culminated in the recent approval of the drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2015. Opdivo庐 is the first drug ever approved for lung cancer that works by enabling the body鈥檚 own immune system to fight the cancer. Opdivo庐 inhibits a protein present in advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer cells that blocks the immune system from attacking the cancer cells.
鈥淚 was concerned about being in a trial,鈥 Lin said, 鈥淏ut the doctors explained everything carefully and I was comfortable moving ahead. Everyone at 秘密研究所 Winthrop has been so kind and professional.鈥
鈥淲e administered his first dose of Opdivo庐 in late October and Mr. Lin experienced almost immediate relief of symptoms,鈥 explained Jeffrey G. Schneider, MD, interim chief of oncology/hematology and director of the Lung Cancer Program. 鈥淎fter six weeks of therapy with no side effects, repeat CT scans showed dramatic improvement in diffuse metastases. Most recent scans show ongoing tumor regression and no new sites of disease.鈥 An active man who prior to his illness enjoyed jogging and playing basketball, Lin is back participating in many activities he enjoys.
鈥淭he real excitement here is that, unlike what we see with responses to conventional chemotherapy, these immunologic responses are long lasting and promise to return normal longevity to patients like Mr. Lin. The goal now is to make this work for all of our cancer patients,鈥 Dr. Schneider said.
