Cancer Gene Therapy
posted in Cancer |
1. Patient’s blood is taken
2. Mofica is genetically normal lymphocytes or T cells
3. It is used to convert DNA to cells in “tumor-reactive”
4. Modified cells are injected into the patient
5. The modified cells attack the malignancies
Two patients in the worst kind of skin cancer were declared free of the disease, after which they are applying novel genetic therapies.
Specialists from the U.S. National Institute against Cancer in Bethesda, manipulated immune system cells of several patients to fight advanced melanoma.
Although only two of 17 patients undergoing cancer treatment are free 18 months after therapy was applied to them, scientists say the results are very encouraging and is a new direction in medical research.
In addition, experts can also argue that genetic manipulation of the immune system cells to fight breast cancer, liver and lungs.
“This is the first time that genetic manipulation of tumor regression achieved in humans,” said Steven Rosenberg, the scientist who led the experiment.
Treatment consisted of removal of cells or normal T cells, which were genetically engineered to rebuild the immune systems of patients.
Experimental
“Our technique is to take normal lymphocytes from patients, and make them reactive to tumor cells,” explained Rosenberg.
The Mark treatment Source was so successful that he could attend the wedding of his daughter.
“The method is experimental, and it takes several years of additional research,” said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society.
“We must be very cautious about not raising hopes too much,” said Lichtenfeld.
Mark origin, 53 years old, was one of those cured. Her melanoma and other tumor disappeared in the liver was reduced just enough to be removed through surgery.
The treatment was so successful that Origin was able to attend the wedding of his daughter, held in 2005. Last week, doctors declared him cancer free.