Research indicates that the timing of cancer immunotherapy treatments may significantly influence patient outcomes. A study published in the journal Cancer has found that lung cancer patients receiving intravenous (IV) immunotherapy earlier in the day experienced longer survival rates compared to those treated later. Specifically, patients who received their immunotherapy doses before 15:00 showed a 52% lower risk of cancer progression and a 63% lower risk of death.
The study, led by Dr. Yongchang Zhang, an associate professor at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in China, suggests that adjusting the timing of immunotherapy could be a cost-effective method to enhance survival rates for cancer patients. “Adjusting infusion timing is a straightforward and easily implementable intervention that can be adopted across diverse healthcare settings without additional cost,” Dr. Zhang stated in a news release.
Study Overview and Findings
The research tracked nearly 400 individuals diagnosed with advanced small cell lung cancer who were prescribed immunotherapy drugs atezolizumab or durvalumab in conjunction with standard chemotherapy. The treatments took place between May 2019 and October 2023. Both drugs work by inhibiting cancer cells’ ability to avoid detection by the immune system, as outlined by Drugs.com.
The findings indicated that patients receiving these IV medications before 15:00 enjoyed significantly longer periods of remission before their cancer showed signs of progression. Furthermore, this early treatment timing correlated with improved overall survival rates. “This study has immediate clinical applicability and the potential to transform current treatment protocols for small cell lung cancer,” Dr. Zhang added.
Understanding the Impact of Circadian Rhythms
Researchers believe that the observed effects may be linked to circadian rhythms—natural internal processes that regulate various bodily functions, including immune responses. Despite these promising results, the authors of the study emphasize the need for further investigation to fully understand how circadian rhythms interact with cancer therapies. More research is essential to determine how to optimize treatment strategies based on an individual’s internal clock.
“These findings suggest a critical interplay between biological rhythms and tumor immunotherapy, offering novel opportunities for optimizing treatment strategies,” the researchers concluded.
For additional information on immunotherapy and its implications for cancer treatment, resources are available from the American Cancer Society.
