Launching a dual-pronged attack on tumours using a combination of two innovative precision medicines could treat patients with multiple common cancers, a new clinical trial shows.
It is the first trial to use the pioneering genetically targeted drug olaparib – already licensed for ovarian, breast and prostate cancer – together with a promising new medicine, called capivasertib.
The researchers used the drug combination to target two fundamental weaknesses in cancer at the same time – a damaged system for repairing DNA, and ‘addiction’ to a molecule called AKT which fuels tumour growth.