Scientists from the Northwell Health Cancer Institute have, for the first time, used a new dual immunotherapy regimen to treat colorectal cancer in a 26-year-old patient, resulting in the complete disappearance of the tumor, reports Good Morning America (GMA).

The patient, Mrinali Dhembla, was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer with metastases to the spine. Prior to diagnosis, she had suffered for several months from severe back pain and persistent fatigue.

Genetic testing revealed that the disease was associated with Lynch syndrome—a hereditary condition that increases the risk of developing colorectal and several other types of cancer at a young age.

Doctors decided to use a new dual immunotherapy regimen—a treatment approach in which drugs stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This method is still relatively limited in colorectal cancer treatment and is most commonly prescribed to patients whose tumors carry two types of mutations (MSI-H and dMMR).

According to specialists, patients with Lynch syndrome respond particularly well to this approach because their tumors contain a high number of mutations, making them more visible to the immune system.

Unlike traditional treatments, immunotherapy activates the body’s natural defense mechanisms and often provides a longer-lasting effect. Researchers note that in patients whose tumors completely disappear after such treatment, relapses are extremely rare.

Thanks to the new method, Dhembla was able to avoid prolonged courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After several months of treatment, follow-up examinations showed no signs of cancer.

The patient’s case has also drawn attention to the growing incidence of colorectal cancer among young people. According to the American Cancer Society, since the 1990s, the rate of rectal cancer among people under 50 has been steadily increasing.