New promising treatment for childhood leukemia

[No Elephants]

If this were the only positive headline I had seen all year, I would not be discouraged.

December 9, 2012 6:35 PM

New promising treatment for childhood leukemia


The treatment uses a patient's own immune cells to kill cancer. It's being tested now in 12 patients with advanced leukemia: 10 adults, and two children. Researchers say nine of the patients have responded to the therapy, including both pediatric patients.

<snip>


"This is a whole new way of treating cancer, and the idea is that we're redirecting the cells of the immune system against the cancer," said Dr. Stephan Grupp, who is leading the study.

Scientists use the patient's own immune cells called "T-cells" - white blood cells that help fight infections. Scientists remove the T-cells, genetically engineer them to attack leukemia cells, and inject them back into the patient.

"The cells actually grow within the patient and can attack a large amount of cancer cells," Grupp said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57558120/new-promising-treatment-for-childhood-leukemia/

[Enthusiast]

1. A brilliant strategy!

Just imagine, the answer lies right there within our own human biology. Hopefully human biology will answer many such questions in the future. But ever the pessimist I also see much research directed toward a profit based solution at the expense of the patient's prognosis.