A new therapy has emerged that may change the future of treating aggressive blood cancers. This innovative approach involves modifying DNA in white blood cells to create “living drugs” that can effectively combat cancer.
One of the first successes was a girl named Alyssa Tapley. After almost losing hope, she received this treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital and has been cancer-free ever since. She is now aiming to become a cancer scientist. The results are promising: nearly two-thirds of patients in recent trials are in remission.
T-cells, a type of white blood cell, normally help the body fight diseases but can go haywire in cases like T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Many patients previously had no options left after traditional treatments like chemotherapy failed.
Alyssa describes her journey, stating, “I really thought I was going to die. I just wanted to grow up.” Now, she’s busy with A-levels and looking forward to a future in biomedical science.
The technique involves several intricate steps. Scientists start with healthy T-cells from a donor and modify them. The editing process is specifically designed to prevent these modified cells from harming the patient’s body while ensuring they can target the cancer effectively.
Experts like Prof. Waseem Qasim point out that this kind of treatment was once considered science fiction. The technology used is called base editing, which allows precise changes to genetic code. This attention to detail makes the treatment both powerful and complex.
Recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that out of 11 patients treated, 9 went on to receive bone marrow transplants after achieving remission. Some of these patients remain cancer-free for several months to years.
However, the treatment does have risks. Patients are vulnerable to infections while their immune systems are suppressed. In a couple of cases, the cancer adapted to evade detection by the treatment.
Dr. Deborah Yallop, a consultant at King’s College, emphasizes the importance of these results. Given that these patients had very low survival chances before, the outcomes provide hope for others facing similar challenges.
With more research and advancements, treatments like this could become more accessible, making a significant difference for patients battling blood cancer.
Source link
