The method is simplified as reprogramming the immune system's T-cells so that they can more effectively find and destroy cancer cells.
So far, the method has shown itself to be effective against and is approved in Sweden for a certain type of blood cancer, bone marrow cancer, and certain types of lymph node cancer. Now, the treatment has also shown itself to be effective against solid, fixed tumors.
In a study published in the journal The Lancet researchers at, among other things, Peking University Cancer Hospital in China have tested it on patients with cancer in the stomach or lower part of the throat.
A total of 156 patients who had previously tried at least two other treatments without effect were randomly assigned to either receive car-T-cell treatment or standard treatment. The results show that those who received car-T-cell treatment lived longer without the disease worsening than those who received standard treatment.
The time was 3.3 months in median for those who received car-T-cell treatment compared to 1.8 months in the other group.
Nearly all of those who received car-T-cell treatment and around 60 percent of those in the other group suffered from severe side effects.
Petra Hedbom/TT
Facts: Car-T-cells treatment
TT
+ The treatment is simplified as reprogramming the immune system's T-cells (white blood cells) so that they can more effectively identify and destroy cancer cells.
+ Several advances have been made in using the immune system in the development of new cancer treatments. One of the most promising has been made with just Car-T-cells. Car stands for chimeric antigen receptor and the treatment involves reprogramming the patient's own T-cells (white blood cells) so that they can more effectively identify and destroy cancer cells.
+ Car-T-cells are produced from the patient's blood and are then given to the patient as an intravenous injection.
+ The treatment can cause side effects in the form of overactivation of the immune system or neurological impact. Both usually go away on their own but the patient may need hospital care or intensive care.
Source: Regional Cancer Center in Collaboration, Lancet
