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CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 30, 2017 at 6:51 pm
(This post was last modified: August 30, 2017 at 6:51 pm by The Valkyrie.)
So, the FDA has approved the use of the first "living drug" for cancer patients.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-41094990
83% success rate against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Quote: The "living drug" is tailor-made to each patient, unlike conventional therapies such as surgery or chemotherapy.
It is called CAR-T and is made by extracting white blood cells from the patient's blood.
The cells are then genetically reprogrammed to seek out and kill cancer.
The cancer-killers are then put back inside the patient and once they find their target they multiply.
Yes, it's prohibitively expensive, but this opens the door to so many exciting opportunities.
Playing Cluedo with my mum while I was at Uni:
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RE: CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 30, 2017 at 8:11 pm
It's been a long wait for an entirely new paradigm for treating cancer rather than newer and better conventional treatments.
I'm a bit mystified how the cost of this treatment can amount to half a million dollars. I'd sure like to see that itemized.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
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RE: CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 30, 2017 at 8:21 pm
(August 30, 2017 at 8:11 pm)AFTT47 Wrote: It's been a long wait for an entirely new paradigm for treating cancer rather than newer and better conventional treatments.
I'm a bit mystified how the cost of this treatment can amount to half a million dollars. I'd sure like to see that itemized.
I'm thinking of it as a new product so it will be expensive until there are more such treatments/possibilities on the market.
I saw the price and just about choked, myself.
Once the treatment is available and for use against more than one type of cancer, I suspect (hope!) we'll see a marked drop in the cost of treatment.
Playing Cluedo with my mum while I was at Uni:
"You did WHAT? With WHO? WHERE???"
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RE: CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 30, 2017 at 8:21 pm
(August 30, 2017 at 8:12 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: Too late.
Too late for some people I know, too.
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RE: CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 30, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Great news
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RE: CAR-T, The big step forward in cancer treatment
August 31, 2017 at 5:31 am
Great news!
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