LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Little Rock man with resistant kidney cancer is now in remission thanks to an experimental immunotherapy treatment available at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
58-year-old Dwight Hamilton battled stage 4 renal cell carcinoma for four years. During that time, his cancer kept returning— even after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other immunotherapies.
Now, thanks to a new special treatment, Dwight is finally able to celebrate being cancer-free.
This new form of immunotherapy was tested for the first time in humans exclusively at UAMS in Arkansas and 45 other hospitals nationwide.
Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and UAMS vice chancellor, oversaw the study in the Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, the only one in the state focused solely on testing new, early-phase cancer therapies.
“In the last 15 years, drug development within the field of oncology has exploded,” said Birrer. “These developments continue to expand our ability to deliver more precise, targeted approaches that can potentially lead to improved outcomes and quality of life for some cancer patients.”
Patients with advanced refractory solid tumors were deemed eligible for the trial, entitled: “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.”
Dwight received his first dose of the drug via infusion on February 6, 2023, and the UAMS team watched with excitement as his tumor began shrinking.
After only three doses, tumors in his chest had shrunk by 33%. Then, after 15 doses given over 11 months, his tumors completely disappeared.
“In my three decades as an oncologist, his response is unprecedented,” said Birrer. “These and the other new therapies we’re testing have the potential to significantly impact the lives of other patients.”
Although the immunotherapy trial is now closed, UAMS received permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to let Dwight remain on the trial drug.
He receives the immunotherapy by infusion every few weeks while being closely monitored by staff. He has had no reported side effects or complications from the treatment.
“This type of immunotherapy drug turns tumor-growing immune cells into tumor-destroying cells by activating specialized cells known as macrophages,” said Birrer. “Once these cells are activated in this way, the patient’s own immune system adapts and begins to kill cancer cells on its own.”
Immunotherapies are not as commonly used as conventional cancer treatments and are often tested as potential treatments as part of early-phase clinical trials.
Phase I clinical trials involve using small groups of patients to learn more about a drug or treatment’s safety and to identify any potential side effects. In many cases, clinical researchers will also evaluate dosage compared to toxicity.
“It’s critical for a cancer center that is worth its salt to have a Phase I Unit and a Phase I Clinical Trial portfolio. This is what our most vulnerable patients need,” Birrer added. “We’re very excited because we have the only academic Phase I Unit in the state of Arkansas.”
The UAMS Cancer Clinical Trials Team is currently conducting nine Phase 1 clinical trials on new cancer drugs. A total of 140 cancer patients are on interventional treatment trials at UAMS.
These clinical trials are an important way to bring new, innovative approaches to a wider range of cancer patients.
As for Dwight, he said he feels like a normal person and is ready to get back to living life.
“I jump for joy right now. I’m thinking about going and dancing and having fun," Dwight said.