Researchers have reported a breakthrough in cancer treatment with a new 'smart drug' that helps the immune system better detect and destroy cancer cells. The experimental drug, GRWD5769, disrupts the mechanism that allows cancer cells to hide from immune attack. In early clinical trials across the UK, France, Spain, and Australia, the drug, when combined with the immunotherapy medicine cemiplimab, reduced tumor size by at least 30% in 15 out of 83 patients.

The study involved patients suffering from six types of cancer—uterine, bladder, liver, intestinal, lung, and head-neck—who had not responded to conventional treatments. The drug works by blocking the enzyme ERAP1, which cancer cells use to evade immune detection. By disabling this enzyme, the drug exposes the cells to T-cell attack.

Lead researcher Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite described the oral drug as convenient and promising in early results, while Professor Stefan Symeonides called it an exciting advance. Researchers emphasized that the findings are preliminary, but if larger trials confirm success, the drug could significantly enhance immunotherapy effectiveness for many patients.