Man’s Deadly Brain Cancer Vanishes After Experimental Drug Trial with Ipilimumab

In a remarkable turn of events, a man diagnosed with one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, glioblastoma, has shown no signs of the disease after participating in an experimental drug trial. Ben Trotman, who received the devastating diagnosis in 2022 at the age of 40, has defied the odds—where most patients face a mere 15-month average survival rate and a grim 6.9% chance of living five years.

Under the care of Dr. Paul Mulholland at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, Trotman became the sole participant in a trial that ultimately closed due to insufficient enrollment. He was administered ipilimumab, a groundbreaking immunotherapy drug that empowers the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells by preventing their ability to suppress immune responses. Alongside radiation and chemotherapy, this treatment has led to quarterly scans over two years showing no trace of the tumor—an outcome described as extraordinarily rare, especially since Trotman did not undergo the initially planned surgery to remove the visible tumor.

Dr. Mulholland expressed optimism, noting that the combination of immunotherapy and follow-up treatments has so far kept the cancer at bay, a result that brings immense relief to both the medical team and Trotman’s family. Speaking of family, just two months after starting ipilimumab, Ben married his partner Emily, and in April 2025, they welcomed their daughter, Mabel. Emily described the diagnosis as a traumatic blow, shifting their reality from normalcy to a ticking clock. Yet, meeting Dr. Mulholland and accessing this trial felt like a rare stroke of luck in an otherwise heartbreaking situation.

Ben himself remains grounded but hopeful, focusing on rebuilding the life he feared was lost and cherishing parenthood. Meanwhile, the success of his case has spurred further research. Dr. Mulholland’s team has launched a new clinical trial, dubbed 'Margaret’s Trial,' for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. This study, involving 16 participants, will administer ipilimumab before standard treatments like surgery or radiotherapy, aiming to boost the immune system at the earliest, healthiest stage possible.

This development offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against a ruthless disease, proving that innovation, even in small steps, can rewrite destinies.