Little Rock, AR (JonesboroRightNow.com) – January 24, 2024 – In a groundbreaking development at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, an experimental immunotherapy has achieved what seemed impossible for Dwight Hamilton, a 58-year-old man from Little Rock battling stage 4 renal cell carcinoma.

Hamilton’s resilient cancer, which persisted despite conventional treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, succumbed to a promising new immunotherapy tested exclusively at UAMS and 45 other hospitals nationwide.

Directed by Dr. Michael Birrer, the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit at UAMS facilitated the study, titled “Phase 1 first in human study of leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 inhibitor monoclonal antibody JTX-8064, as monotherapy and in combination with a programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor.”

Hamilton’s response to the treatment was remarkable. Following his first infusion on Feb. 6, 2023, his tumors exhibited rapid regression, with a 33% reduction in chest tumors after just three doses and complete disappearance after 15 doses over 11 months.

Dr. Birrer expressed his astonishment, citing Hamilton’s response as unprecedented in his three-decade career. The success of this trial marks a significant milestone for the UAMS Cancer Clinical Trials Team, currently conducting nine Phase 1 clinical trials on new cancer drugs with 140 cancer patients on interventional treatment trials.

Immunotherapies like the one administered to Hamilton hold promise in transforming immune cells to combat cancer cells, heralding a new era in cancer treatment. While immunotherapies are still in the experimental phase, their potential to revolutionize cancer care underscores the importance of Phase I clinical trials in evaluating safety, efficacy, and dosage.

Hamilton, now cancer-free, epitomizes the potential of immunotherapies to offer renewed hope to patients like him. His journey underscores the critical role of academic institutions like UAMS in pioneering innovative treatments and bringing new possibilities to cancer patients, ultimately transforming lives and inspiring optimism in the face of adversity.