Australian Doctor Claims He Beat Brain Cancer With Own Experimental Research: 'I'm Thrilled'

Australian doctor Professor Richard Scolyer is celebrating a year of being “cancer free” after purportedly undergoing a groundbreaking treatment based on his own research. Last year, while in Poland, he was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer, known as glioblastoma, which typically has a survival rate of about 12 months. At the age of 57, Scolyer decided to try an experimental therapy he had developed while studying melanoma, a skin cancer. Surprisingly, his recent MRI scan showed no signs of the tumour. The professor worked with his friend and colleague, Professor Georgina Long, both co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia and were honoured as Australian of the Year.

The team used immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer cells. According to BBC reports, Professor Georgina Long and her team found that immunotherapy is more effective when certain drugs are combined and given before surgery to remove a tumour. Last year, Scolyer became the first brain cancer patient to receive this pre-surgery combination treatment. He faced a challenging few months after treatment, as he experienced epileptic seizures, liver problems and pneumonia. Despite these hardships, he now says he feels healthier.

“To be honest, I was more nervous than I have been for any previous scan. I’m just thrilled and delighted, couldn’t be happier. I’m the best I have felt for yonks. It certainly doesn’t mean that my brain cancer is cured, but it’s just nice to know that it hasn’t come back yet, so I’ve still got some more time to enjoy my life with my wife Katie and my three wonderful kids,” Professor Richard Scolyer told the portal.

Professor Georgina Long shared, “We’ve generated a whole heap of data, to then make a foundation for that next step, so that we can help more people. We’re not there yet. What we have to really focus on is showing that this pre-surgery, combination immunotherapy type of approach works in a large number of people.”

The alleged results have sparked excitement, as Long and Richard Scolyer might be close to a revolution that could benefit approximately 3 lakh people diagnosed with brain cancer each year. The aim of this experimental treatment is to extend the professor’s life and pave the way for clinical trials for other patients. As per reports, the duo have even submitted a scientific paper for review, showing the early results of Scolyer’s treatment. However, Long claims that developing an approved treatment will still take time.