Beiruting News

A revolutionary development in cancer treatment, immuno-oncology therapies are now available in Lebanon, and the Lebanese oncologists are prescribing new medicine, based on Pembrolizumab molecule, to patients with advanced melanoma and lung cancer. The latter molecule is a humanized monoclonal antibody that works by increasing the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells.

On this note, the leading research-driven international healthcare company Merck Sharp & Dohme, hosted a full day conference on January 30^th gathering local and international oncologists and specialists in the field, to officially launch the new medicine, approved by the FDA and the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Speakers discussed the role of Pembrolizumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, and showcased case studies featuring promising results of the drug that is achieving cancer survival.

Local studies say that by 2018, cancer incidence rates are projected to approach 296 cases per 100,000 males and 339.5 cases per 100,000 females. Moreover, statistics show that in Lebanon, 850 oncology patients are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, and 100 others are diagnosed with melanoma. (Shamseddine, A., Saleh, A., Charafeddine, M., Seoud, M., Mukherji, D., Temraz, S., & Sibai, A. M. ,2014)

Lebanon is the first country after the US to launch Pembrolizumab as a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. In fact, the molecule is indicated at a dose of 2 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every three weeks for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

On this occasion, MSD Middle East Medical Affairs Director- Oncology Dr Ahmed Yosry said: "Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck Sharp & Dohme, helping people fight cancer is our passion and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. Our focus is on pursuing research in immuno-oncology and we are accelerating every step in the journey - from lab to clinic - to potentially bring new hope to people with cancer."