This is a summary of an article featuring Dr Daryl Tan in The Straits Times, Oct 2011
Doctors find drug that helps prolong life by up to eight years
Those suffering from hard-to-treat blood cancer multiple myeloma may now live twice as long as before. Doctors at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) found that a new drug, when given early, helps to prolong their life by up to eight years. Usually, most patients would die after four years, even with treatment.
The new drug – Bortezomib
This drug was previously used for cancer patients who suffered a relapse. In 2006, doctors started to give the drug as a frontline treatment when patients were first diagnosed. The treatment, now the standard care here, may well pave the way for the cancer to be treated less like a terminal disease, and more like a chronic one.
How the drug works
Every cell – including cancer cells – has a dustbin, where used substances such as protein are discarded. The drug acts as a lid on the dustbin, this causes the junk materials to accumulate inside the cell, which will eventually die from it.
Bortezomib comes in the form of an injection. Four jabs have to be given over a period of 21 days. This cycle may be repeated several more times, until the cancer subsides.
Meet Our Haematologist
MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), MMED (Int Med), FAMS (Haematology)
Postdoctoral Fellowship (Stanford University, Division of Oncology)
Dr Daryl Tan is a haematologist in Singapore who treats blood cancers such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukaemia, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. He also manages various blood disorders, including anaemia and bleeding or clotting conditions. His treatments include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy for lymphoma patients.
If you or a loved one has unexplained anemia or related symptoms, consider consulting a haematologist to explore possible causes and treatment options.