Immunotherapy Shrinks Colon Cancer Tumors, Giving Family Hope
After a grim prognosis of two to three years, Spencer Laird’s stage IV colon cancer dramatically improved on a Duke Cancer Center immunotherapy trial with botensilimab and balstilimab: about a year in, nearly all 13 tumors disappeared and the largest remaining lesion shrank to 0.6 cm, while his CEA marker fell, offering the family more time with their daughter and renewed hope. The study targets microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer and aims for long-lasting control with fewer side effects, and researchers plan to expand enrollment and biomarker work. The Lairds began with a second opinion and now travel for ongoing Duke visits.