‘Leap forward’ in bespoke cancer treatment

Patients with untreatable cancers have had their immune system redesigned to attack their own tumours.

 

The experimental research, which involved 16 patients, has been called a “leap forward” and a “powerful” demonstration of the potential of such technology.

 

Each patient involved in the study had a treatment which had been developed specifically for them, which targeted the weak spots in their tumour.

 

The work focused on a part of the immune system known as T-cells, which patrol the body and inspect other cells for problems.  They use proteins – called receptors – to effectively sniff out signs of infection or deviant cells that have become cancerous.

 

The idea of the therapy is to boost levels of T-Cells.  It has to be tailored to each patient as each tumour is unique.

 

Dr Antoni Ribas, one of the researchers at the University of California, said “This is a leap forward in developing a personalised treatment for cancer”.

 

Dr Astero Klampatsa from the Institute of Cancer Research, said the study was “important” but warned that the “time, labour and expense involved” were “huge”.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382