A recent study highlights that administering anticancer immunotherapy earlier in the day may enhance survival rates for individuals with cancer. Research published in the journal Cancer indicates that this adjustment could have significant implications for treatment protocols.
The study, conducted at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in China, involved 397 patients diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Participants received the immunotherapy drugs atezolizumab or durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy between May 2019 and October 2023.
Researchers discovered that patients receiving treatment before 15:00 experienced significant benefits. Those treated earlier in the day showed improved progression-free survival and overall survival compared to their counterparts who received treatment later. Specifically, earlier administration was linked to a 52% reduction in the risk of cancer progression and a 63% lower risk of death after controlling for various influencing factors.
Dr. Yongchang Zhang, the senior author of the study, emphasized the potential impact of these findings. “Adjusting infusion timing is a straightforward and easily implementable intervention that can be adopted across diverse healthcare settings without additional cost,” he stated. He further noted that this research has immediate clinical applicability and the potential to transform current treatment protocols for small cell lung cancer.
The study underscores the importance of the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, in influencing the effectiveness of medical treatments. This rhythm affects various physiological processes, including immune responses, which may explain why the timing of drug administration can alter treatment outcomes.
As the medical community looks for ways to improve cancer treatment, this research provides a promising avenue for enhancing patient care and survival outcomes. Adjusting the timing of immunotherapy could offer a simple yet effective strategy for healthcare providers worldwide, ensuring that patients receive the maximum benefit from their treatment regimens.
For additional details, refer to the published study: “Overall survival according to time-of-day of immunochemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,” Cancer (2025). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.70126.
