For years it has been known that the immune system could be harnessed to kill tumor cells, however, difficulties in routinely applying this as a practical cancer therapy have prevented widespread adoption of the approaches that work well in laboratory mice. However, recent advances in gene transfer therapy promise to make this treatment a reality. This program will test whether the immune system’s T cells can be altered genetically so that they become “guided missiles”. In this project advanced gene transfer technology will be used to permanently modify the immune system by insetting a tracking system into the T cells so that T cells are engineered to kill tumor cells specifically. This approach will be first tested in adults with leukemia that is resistant to currently available chemotherapy.
RESEARCH UPDATE – AUGUST 10, 2011
ACGT FELLOW’S RESEARCH OBLITERATES TUMORS IN LEUKEMIA PATIENTS
Dr. Carl June and his team at University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center are making great strides for the treatment of advanced CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia). The clinical trial, funded by ACGT, uses genetically modified versions of the patient’s own T cells, and has shown remission for up to a year in a small group of patients, several of whom are in complete remission.
In the words of Dr. June, “It is a great time for cancer gene therapy.”
Dr. Carl H. June, Joan Miller & Linda Bernstein Gene Therapy Ovarian Cancer Award Recipient (2008)
Dr. Carl H. June, Scientific Advisory Council
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