Gene Therapy cures 2 men of skin cancer

[n2doc]

Gene therapy frees men of cancer

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.

Before the experiment, the patients were expected to only live for three to six months because their disease was so advanced.

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.


1 Blood taken from patient
2 T cells infected with virus to carry key genes into them
3 DNA from genes helps cells develop receptors
4 Modified cells injected back into patient
5 Receptors target cancerous cells to be killed

more:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5304910.stm

[Odin2005]

1. But, but, Monsanto can abuse genetic engineering so it's bad!

Don't you know that? :sarcasm:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. nice strawman!

but medical, and for-profit, are two different cans-o-worms.