Hello friends! Summer is truly off to a good start when we hear about promising new treatments in the field of cancer research. In a clinical study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute a new treatment called HPV-targeted adoptive T-cell therapy was conducted on a small group of women with advanced cervical cancer. Now, adoptive T cell therapy has been researched for some years and has already shown positive results in treating leukemia, sarcoma and melanoma. This, however, is the first time the therapy has been tested on patients with cervical cancer.
To explain the process, let’s review a bit of important information. First, a T-cell is a particular type of white blood cell that also is known as a “helper cell.” T-cells are an essential part of the body’s lymph system and are instrumental in fighting harmful bacteria and foreign agents in the body. Second, most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. So, the object of this new therapy is to “create” T-cells that specifically target the human papillomavirus related to the development of cervical cancer.
Now, to do this cells from the patient’s tumor are removed. Then new T-cells are actually grown from the tumor tissue in the laboratory. These very special cells are engineered to specifically attack tumor cells that contain HPV proteins. And once they have been harvested, the T-cells are put back into the patient’s body to fight the cervical cancer.
It’s important to note, however, that the NCI study only involved nine women. Yet, three of these nine women — one third of the study — responded positively to the therapy. One woman experienced a thirty-nine percent reduction in tumor volume. Two other women experienced complete remissions that were still in effect at the time the study was published.
Yes, of course, the study sample was very small. And, as with every treatment there were side effects including infections, low blood counts and metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, that does not diminish the fact that we now have evidence that engineered T-cells have the potential to identify and destroy metastatic cancer cells. And that is remarkable! So, let’s add another piece of hopeful information to our Cancer Tool Box — and please read more at: http://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/cervical-cancer-news-95/immune-based-treatment. Until next time,
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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