"Oscar Murphy, 28, who has an aggressive form of the blood cancer, was given the "living drug", called CAR-T therapy, at Manchester Royal Infirmary. BBC News was present on 2 January when Oscar received the first of two infusions of his own immune cells, which had been genetically modified to recognise and target his cancer. NHS England has agreed to fund the immunotherapy at several centres across the country. About 50 NHS patients a year are likely to benefit from it."
"In a clinical trial, 77% of patients went into remission after treatment, with half showing no signs of cancer after three and a half years. On average, the treatment gave patients 15.6 additional months of life. Oscar's haematologist, Dr Eleni Tholouli, said the CAR-T therapy was safer than existing treatments, with fewer side-effects and much more effective. "Usually, this type of leukaemia is very aggressive and adult patients don't live beyond six to eight months. With this therapy, we are able to offer them years and potentially a cure."
Oscar Murphy, 28, with aggressive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia received CAR-T therapy at Manchester Royal Infirmary, receiving the first of two infusions of his genetically modified T-cells on 2 January. NHS England agreed to fund the immunotherapy at several centres, with about 50 NHS patients a year likely to benefit. The T-cells were removed and sent to a lab in Stevenage for genetic modification. A clinical trial showed 77% remission, half showing no signs of cancer after 3.5 years and an average survival gain of 15.6 months. Clinicians report fewer side-effects and greater effectiveness than existing treatments, offering years of survival and potential cures for some patients.
Read at www.bbc.com
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