Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor says the nuclear cancer drug gave him five more years
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor has revealed that a new “nuclear medicine” has helped add five years to his life expectancy.
The guitarist was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer about four years ago, but didn’t publicly announce the news until November 2022.
At the time, Taylor’s bandmates shared the news in a letter the musician penned ahead of their induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, which he was unable to attend.
“I missed the biggest night of my life,” he told the BBC program of the occasion Breakfast on Friday (August 11), adding: “No one really knew [about his diagnosis] – just family and a few friends”.
Taylor explained that after he went public with his diagnosis, Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of the Cancer Awareness Trust, approached him to offer him “a nuclear drug, lutetium-177, that is so targeted that it can… only recognizes cancer cells”.
“It can’t see healthy cells,” Taylor explained. “It kills stage IV cancer in your bones. So what it actually did is add five years to my life.”
Andy Taylor from Duran Duran
(ITV)
“Unfortunately, when patients like Andy Taylor have progressed to stage fourth prostate cancer with secondary metastases, particularly to bone tissue, the treatment options are limited,” Evans told the BBC. “He had already received some of the best medication available and was in serious decline.
“We have looked closely at his genetic profile and the specific genomic mutations present in his cancer. We also calculated a number of other very specific biochemical and physiological pieces of Andy’s puzzle.
“From what we understand, the Lutetium-177 nuclear medicine injections were considered the best option for him.”
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Taylor said he had to “get very, very healthy to get this treatment.” So I really took care of myself differently.”
“I don’t want to be a patient stuck here. I want to be a working patient, a little beacon of hope, because this stuff – cancer – just drags you and your family into the dark,” he said.
The musician is in good health to complete his first solo album in over 30 years. Man is a wolf to manwhose release is scheduled for September 8th.
“It’s been a bloody exhausting journey,” he said.