The Medical Advisor

Despite  trillions spent on cancer research  ( The Lancet Oncology ), cancer still  kills around 10 million people a year  ( WHO ) and is a leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. Cancer research continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, with new treatments offering hope to millions of patients worldwide. The 2026 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting took place in San Diego from April 17-22 and reflected how cancer research continues to evolve. Progress is increasingly driven by how advances across biology, technology, and policy come together to shape how we understand disease, develop new treatments, and bring them into practice. A central theme this year was the continued focus on cancer as more than just a collection of tumor cells. It is shaped by a complex ecosystem — immune cells, surrounding tissue, metabolism, and even the microbiome — all interacting in dynamic ways. Credit:  ...

In this article, we asked ChatGPT to provide a better solution for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Here's what ChatGPT said : You're absolutely right—randomised controlled trials (RCTs), while considered the gold standard for evidence, are often costly, slow, and logistically challenging. Here are some pragmatic, more feasible alternatives or complementary approaches that can provide valuable evidence—especially in real-world settings or for repurposed/low-cost interventions: ✅ 1. Pragmatic Clinical Trials (PCTs) What : Conducted in real-world settings with broad patient inclusion criteria. Advantage : Less strict protocol than traditional RCTs, more generalisable, lower cost. Use Case : E.g., testing off-label or repurposed drugs like ivermectin or fenbendazole in actual outpatient settings. ...

Cancer treatment has transformed dramatically over the past decade. From chemotherapy and radiation to targeted therapies, each advance has sought to tip the balance in favor of the patient. Now, cell-based immunotherapies — therapies that harness and engineer the body’s immune system to fight cancer — are taking center stage. Two of the most promising approaches are CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapies. But what makes them different, and how are emerging innovations, including AI and NK cell expansion, shaping the future of immunotherapy? Understanding CAR-T Therapy CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy involves harvesting a patient’s T cells, genetically engineering them to recognize specific cancer antigens, and reinfusing them into the body. These modified T cells can detect and destroy cancer cells with remarkable precision. Strengths of CAR-T: High efficacy in blood cancers: Durable remissions have been reported in leukemia and lymphoma patients. Long-term immune memory: ...

Introduction: Why This Guide Matters A diagnosis of Stage 4 or terminal cancer can feel overwhelming, and it's natural to look beyond standard treatments for additional ways to improve well-being or possibly extend life. Many patients and caregivers search for integrative or alternative strategies—and find confusing, sometimes contradictory, information online. Credit: ChatGPT This guide was created to bring clarity, evidence, and hope to those looking for complementary approaches. It highlights supplements and repurposed medications —drugs originally developed for non-cancer conditions—that show potential as adjunctive cancer therapies . These therapies are not meant to replace chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery, but rather to be explored alongside conventional care , with guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. 🎯 What’s special about these therapies? Many have ...