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Colon the Shots: Letting the Immune System Take Control
Colorectal cancer has traditionally been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. But in 2026, instead of removing the tumour first and treating later, doctors are now training the immune system to attack the cancer before surgery. In effect, the treatment puts up a ‘wanted poster’ for the cancer, helping the immune system to recognise and target it before doctors step in.
A recent study published by AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) showed some quite striking results. 59% of Patients who received an immunotherapeutic drug (pembrolizumab) pre-operation were found to have no detectable cancer by the time of surgery. What makes this even more impressive is that there is no recurrence after three years (so far).
Photo Credit: https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/understanding/bowel-colon-cancer/