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BBC - Gene therapy frees men of cancer

  • 01-09-2006 1:34pm
    #1
    aidan_walsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭


    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5304910.stm
    Two men have been cleared of deadly skin cancer using genetically modified versions of their own immune cells.

    For Mark Origer, 53, the treatment destroyed his tumour, enabling him to attend his daughter's wedding.

    The US National Cancer Institute team in Bethesda has also shown it can manipulate immune cells to attack breast, liver and lung cancers.

    The modified T cells persisted in 15 other patients treated, but their malignant melanomas remained.

    Tests showed the genetically modified T cells used in the new treatment became specialised tumour fighters, the journal Science reports.

    Although only two of the 17 people with advanced melanoma who received the treatment were completely free of cancer 18 months later, experts say the results are extremely exciting and proof that this new therapy can work.

    If this is true, I think this is very exciting news.


Comments

  • #2
    abetarrush
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭abetarrush


    Dats wha I said they should do!!


  • #3
    mpento
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭mpento


    Why yes we can do that for you too! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    On RTE radio one of the boffins here indicated that it was early days yet since only 2 out of 17 improved and all were also on a course of chemo as well.

    IIRC The gene therapy was done on white blood cells. Even if it turns out to be effective ( one hopes ) how much effort is involved per patient , or can it be semi-automated in any way ?


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