Sydney English news | Sydney, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

Sydney, Nov 25 A common medication used to treat reflux, heart burn and ulcers could lessen the effectiveness of lung cancer immunotherapy drugs, according to a new research.Researchers at Flinders University in Australia investigated the impact of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on patients undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 85 per cent of cases.Patients received either chemotherapy or were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor drug, designed to boost the immune system into killing cancer cells.The results published in Nature's British Journal of Cancer, showed that PPI use was associated with worse survival in patients with advanced cancer treated with atezolizumab plus chemotherapy, but not in those that received chemotherapy alone, with the study showing PPI use was linked to a significant decrease in the benefit of the immune therapy treatment."Stomach issues and reflux are common in cancer patients so the use of antacids and PPIs is common. Nearly 30 per cent of cancer patients use them, and usually for extended periods of time," said lead author Ash Hopkins from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute."Of concern is that the medication is often overused or used inappropriately, as it is seen to cause little harm, however our research could indicate a need to change this approach," Hopkins added.PPIs treat a number of stomach issues by reducing acid production in the wall of the stomach.Recent studies have shown the medication can cause significant gut microbiota changes, which could lead to its impact on cancer immunotherapy."Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) drugs help the immune system by switching on T-cells, allowing them to kill or control cancerous tumours but the gut microbiota also plays an important role in regulating our body and its immune function," said Hopkins."When this gut microbiota is impacted it can stop the ability of ICIs to activate the immune system, meaning the drugs simply won't work as well to fight off the cancer."While further studies are needed, the researchers noted it could be time for oncologists to reconsider indiscriminate use of PPIs for their patients.Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

SydneyFOLLOW

Sydney, Latest News

Sydney, Nov 28 Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins has revealed that Cricket Australia had forced him into 'confession' ... ...

Sydney, Nov 28 The Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, as two major entry ports ... ...

Sydney, Nov 27 Australian spin wizard Shane Warne is not amused with the fact that while former captain ... ...

Sydney, Nov 27 Australian cricketing legend Ian Chappell has slammed Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to appoint Steve Smith ... ...

Sydney, Nov 26 Flood warnings were issued on Friday for parts of New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and ... ...

Sydney, Nov 26 Fast bowler Pat Cummins was on Friday confirmed as Australia's new men's Test captain, a ... ...

Marking his return to Australian TV series after a prolonged absence, actor Sam Neill of 'Jurassic World: Dominion', 'Thor: Love and Thunder' fame would head the cast of crime drama series 'The Twelve'. ...

Sydney, Nov 25 A common medication used to treat reflux, heart burn and ulcers could lessen the effectiveness ... ...