Healthcare conferences: Trials aim to extend remission period

Oncology discussions at healthcare conferences may touch on studies into extending remission for advanced lung cancer patients.

Two national trial programmes are taking place in the US, where patients are given a trial drug to help prevent the growth of tumours Island Packet said.

Sunitinib is given to advanced patients who have completed a course of chemotherapy. It is intended to inhibit growth factors which can lead to tumours and maintain or enhance the effects of the chemotherapy for longer.

It has already been trialled successfully on patients with other types of cancer.

Dr Jeffrey Crawford, principal investigator for clinical trials at Duke University Medical Centre, told the news provider: "If you can live a year, rather than eight months, that’s big, especially if we can improve your quality of life. Every month counts."

In October last year the American Cancer Society predicted there were around 371,000 people suffering from lung cancer in the US.