Wednesday, 2 February 2022

CAR-Ting Away Cancers

Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cells are genetically engineered white blood cells that recognise and destroy cancer cells (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/02/first-patients-pioneering-car-t-cell-therapy-cured-of-cancer). The genetic engineering converts an individual's own T-cells (so there is no possibility of rejection) into 'killer cells' that can cure certain blood cancers (e.g. acute lymphoblastic leukaemia). Two patients, from early trials, still had 'killer' cells, with no sign of the disease, 10 years after their CAR-T therapy. It is, unfortunately, proving difficult to adapt this technique for treating solid cancers.
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