Immunotherapy drug extends cancer-free time for head, neck patients

An immunotherapy drug has shown a significant breakthrough in treating head and neck cancers, doubling the time patients remain cancer-free. This marks the most significant advancement in two decades. The drug, pembrolizumab, works by stimulating the immune system to fight cancer cells. A global trial involving over 700 patients found that the drug kept cancer at bay for an average of five years, compared to 30 months with standard treatment. The trial results, presented at a major oncology conference, showed improved outcomes for all head and neck cancer patients, regardless of immune marker levels. The research offers hope for hundreds of thousands diagnosed annually.