Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an advanced form of immunotherapy that shows great promise in combating blood cancer. By modifying a patient's T cells and reintroducing them into the body, CAR-T cell therapy empowers the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells, offering hope for children with leukemia, and potential avenues for clinical trials to treat other cancer types.
T cells are special white blood cells that help our body fight infections and diseases such as cancer. They move around in our body to find and destroy bad cells. When we get sick, T cells are produced to fight the specific problem. They also remember the infections they fight, so if we get sick again they can quickly attack and stop it.
CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative cancer treatment that enhances the ability of T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. It involves genetically modifying T cells in a laboratory to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which improve their targeting capabilities. This therapy addresses the challenge of distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, offering a promising approach to cancer treatment.
CAR T-cell therapy works by genetically engineering T cells to produce CARs, which are receptors capable of recognizing specific proteins on cancer cells. T cells are collected from a parent or sibling and modified in a lab to express CARs, enabling them to bind to specific proteins on cancer cells. These modified CAR T-cells are then multiplied and infused into the patient's bloodstream.
CAR T-cell therapies are customized to target specific cancer antigens. For example, in certain types of leukemia and lymphoma, the cancer cells have an antigen called CD19. CAR T-cell therapies are designed to bind to the CD19 antigen, but they are not effective for cancers that do not have this antigen.
Once in the body, the CAR T-cells can recognize and target cancer cells more effectively. They initiate a powerful immune response, leading to the destruction of cancer cells. This personalized approach harnesses the patient's immune system to fight cancer, providing a targeted and potent treatment option. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated significant efficacy, especially in cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful. It has received USA FDA approval for the treatment of hematological malignancies like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, offering hope to patients facing these diseases.
CAR T-cell therapy is indicated for some children who have relapsed, or to target refractory (R/R) blood cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Large B cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and solid tumors like neuroblastoma, when conventional treatments have been unsuccessful.
To determine if you qualify for CAR T-cell therapy, consult a pediatric oncologist who will assess your medical condition. Factors like cancer type, stage, previous treatments, and overall health will be considered. Seek expert advice and personalized guidance by scheduling an appointment.
Experienced doctors and nursing teams specialized in CAR T-cell treatment can promptly recognize and treat symptoms. Close monitoring and adherence to a standard of care are crucial during CAR T-cell therapy to address potential serious side effects.
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Our innovations - sources:
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https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy/types/CAR-T-cell-therapy
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