Innovative prostate cancer treatment shows ‘remarkable’ results

Health & Fitness
28 Feb 2026 • 11:00 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Early-stage trials of a new immunotherapy drug, VIR-5500, for advanced prostate cancer have yielded "remarkable" results.
  • The drug, a "T-cell engager," employs a unique "cloaking device" that ensures it only activates upon reaching the tumour site, significantly reducing adverse reactions.
  • In trials involving 58 men with advanced prostate cancer resistant to other treatments, 45 per cent of 11 patients experienced tumour shrinkage.
  • A high proportion of patients (88 per cent) reported only mild side effects, addressing a key challenge faced by traditional immunotherapies for prostate cancer.
  • Researchers are optimistic that VIR-5500 could offer a new treatment option and potentially lead to a cure for advanced prostate cancer in the future.

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