Research suggests that the timing of immunotherapy administration may significantly influence survival rates in cancer patients. A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that patients receiving immunotherapy earlier in the day experienced better outcomes. The study highlights the potential impact of the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, on the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Conducted at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in China, the research analyzed data from 397 patients diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. These patients received immunotherapy drugs, specifically atezolizumab or durvalumab, in conjunction with chemotherapy from May 2019 to October 2023.
The study revealed that patients who received their treatment before 3:00 PM showed significantly improved results. Specifically, those treated earlier experienced a longer period without cancer progression, known as progression-free survival, and also had a greater overall survival rate compared to those who were treated later in the day.
After adjusting for various influencing factors, the researchers determined that receiving immunotherapy earlier correlated with a 52% lower risk of cancer progression and a 63% lower risk of death. This compelling evidence suggests that timing may play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Yongchang Zhang, MD, the senior author of the study, emphasized the practicality of this finding. He noted, “Adjusting infusion timing is a straightforward and easily implementable intervention that can be adopted across diverse health care settings without additional cost.”
The implications of this research extend beyond mere academic interest. With the potential to transform current treatment protocols for small cell lung cancer, this study underscores the importance of considering the timing of medication administration in clinical practices.
As healthcare providers look for ways to improve patient outcomes, the findings from this study could lead to immediate changes in treatment protocols, offering hope to those battling this aggressive form of cancer. The research presents an opportunity for hospitals and clinics to implement relatively simple adjustments that could save lives, marking a significant step forward in cancer care.
For further details, the study can be accessed in the journal Cancer under the title “Overall survival according to time-of-day of immunochemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,” with a DOI of 10.1002/cncr.70126.
