Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor: Innovative Cancer Drug Has “Extended My Life for Five Years”
It’s been nearly a year since Andy Taylor revealed that he has been fighting stage IV metastatic prostate cancer, and now, the Duran Duran guitarist is back with a positive update: thanks to a new “nuclear medicine,” he feels his life has been extended for five years.
The update came when Taylor appeared on BBC Breakfast on Friday, August 11th. Speaking with the show’s hosts, the 62-year-old explained that he was contacted by scientists after he went public with his cancer diagnosis (via a letter read at Duran Duran’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction). They took a “deep dive into [Taylor’s] genetic profile and the specific genomic mutations present in his cancer,” and ultimately recommended he try a medicine called Lutetium 177.
Taylor had his first round of the drug six weeks ago, and according to him, it’s already working wonders. “[The medicine] is targeted so it only sees cancer cells… it can’t see healthy cells,” he said. “It kills stage four cancer in your bones. And so what it’s effectively done is extend my life for five years.”
This wonderful news comes just days after Taylor announced his first new solo album in 30 years: Man’s a Wolf to Man. Speaking about the record in a press statement, he explained that he’s “getting back to making records that are human, about something that mattered or matters, that are in the moment.” The album is due on September 8th via BMG. Pre-orders are ongoing.
Taylor is also set to reunite with his Duran Duran bandmates for a new album they have in the works. According to the band’s John Taylor, the new record will feature cover songs that were meaningful to the band when they were growing up. “So, having [Andy] be a part of that project is great,” John said.
Meanwhile, Duran Duran — albeit, sans Andy Taylor — is on the road, wrapping up their 2023 tour with Nile Rogers and Chic. Check out the full list of their upcoming dates, and grab tickets here.