Translating the research

I receive several healthcare/medical newsletters and association updates into my inbox daily.  I am always interested in reading about the latest and greatest compounds being developed in our  crusade against disease and illness. 

Today's big news came from the FDA and its approval of a combination therapy to treat melanoma. 

Per the article, the combination immunotherapy regimen was associated with a median progression-free survival of 8.9 months versus 4.7 months for ipilimumab alone, Bristol-Myers Squibb reported and serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% versus 39% of patients taking the combination and monotherapy, respectively. (1)

Translation
New drug combination has reported a >20% increase in serious adverse reactions
New drug combination can potentially increase your life by 18 weeks

I look forward to the day when we see cannabinoids used in conjunction with immunotherapy and/or standard chemotherapy treatments improving patient outcomes and overall survival. 
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Until that time, anecdotal evidence is all we have. 

References:

1. http://www.oncotherapynetwork.com/skin-cancer-melanoma-targets/fda-approves-opdivo-yervoy-combo-unresectable-or-metastatic-melanoma

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