An innovative and groundbreaking cancer treatment, originating from Israel, has demonstrated such remarkable effectiveness against an incurable form of cancer that the hospital responsible for administering it is now faced with a waiting list spanning more than six months.
Within the immunology department at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, dedicated oncologists have harnessed the power of the revolutionary CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy) to achieve an unprecedented level of success in combating multiple myeloma. This experimental treatment, which involved 74 patients, resulted in an astounding 90% of them achieving remission.
Multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, manifests in various regions of the body simultaneously, including the pelvis, ribs, skull, and spine. Accounting for one-tenth of all blood cancers, this malignancy presents significant challenges to the medical community.
CAR-T cell therapies have ushered in a new era in cancer treatment by leveraging the patient’s own immune system to specifically target and eliminate cancerous tumors. Prior to the 1990s, the methods for achieving such targeted immunity were largely unknown, as cancer cells employ clever disguises to evade immune responses. However, the advent of CAR-T therapy has unveiled a promising avenue to combat these evasive tactics, offering hope to countless individuals battling cancer.
“We have evidence of a very positive overall response rate with minimal side effects, and they are mild,” Professor Polina Stepensky, head of the department at Hadassah, said about the results. “These are dramatic results. This is a huge hope for patients with a disease that has not yet had a cure.”
Jerusalem Post reports that the treatment will also be made available across the United States soon. In fact, they can expect it in the coming months, Dr. Stepensky said.
“IMMX Bio has acquired a patent license, and we are about to open a clinical trial in the US,” Stepensky added. “The plan is to reach commercialization and FDA approval as a drug within a year.”
The process involved in this specific CAR-T cell therapy treatment begins by obtaining donated blood and carefully separating the red blood cells from the white blood cells. Subsequently, a sophisticated genetic engineering procedure takes place, wherein a deactivated virus is utilized as a carrier for the essential signals required to educate the white blood cells, particularly the potent immune weapon known as a T cell, on precisely how to identify and attack cancerous tumors with precision.
Interestingly, Hadassah has recently made waves as the second institution to garner attention for its groundbreaking multiple myeloma CAR-T cell treatment. Notably, GNN extensively covered the remarkable development achieved at a state-run hospital in Barcelona in 2021, showcasing an astounding 75% remission rate.
Beyond its success in combating multiple myeloma, CAR-T cell therapy has exhibited significant potential in the fight against leukemia. Additionally, it has shown promising results in the treatment of lupus, an autoimmune disease rather than a form of cancer. These remarkable advancements in CAR-T cell therapy offer a glimpse of hope for patients afflicted by various diseases, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in the realm of medical science.
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