Genetically modified white blood cells eradicate cancer in 2 out of 3 patients.

[Stephan]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/ns/health-cancer/t/new-leukemia-treatment-exceeds-wildest-expectations/?fb_ref=.TkLsPzbmOZo.like&fb_source=home_multiline#.TkPeV2G2qSp
This seems like an awesome breakthrough in a technique that has been theorized for a long time but not effectively used until now. Already saved three lives, it's just a matter of time until more funding comes through. Also, using a modified form of HIV to deliver genes into human cells could potentially be a huge benefit towards gene-based therapies for those people with single-gene mutations and defects. All very cool stuff!


My skeptic side says:

This only works in leukemia because of the blood-borne nature of the illness. It's probably alot less, if at all, effective in many other tumor types.
The test sample was only three patients. They say this was due to lack of funding, however, so we will see if there's further work in this direction
This is eerily similar to the plot device that resulted in the zombies of the I am Legend movie.
The article doesn't get into the specifics of what they did differently than the other teams attempting similar methods, so its hard to say if they were lucky or made a real step in the right direction.

[deldalton]

All interesting stuff though and, hopefully, a real breakthrough.

[Professional]

Forgive my ignorance, but hasn't a leukemia "cure" already been developed? Is it not as effective as it could be?

My brother was diagnosed with it over a decade ago and had to go through the chemo/radiation/marrow transplant route. He was stuck in the hospital for weeks with insane blisters all over his body, a suction tube stuck in his mouth 24/7 because he couldn't stop drooling, and absolutely no awareness of the world around him. He also lost an eye to an infection while his immune system was shattered by radiation and has had terrible health trouble ever since.

He was later told that if he had been diagnosed a few months later, a couple of pills would've cleared it all up like it never happened. If they're still researching though, maybe I misunderstood.

It gives a great appreciation for the research being done for new lifesaving medicines, but a very intense hatred that burns hotter than the fires of hell for the bureaucracy that surrounds drug trials.

[Anigorb]

My mother has acute myeloid leukemia with neutropenic dysplasia, perhaps one of the most aggressive and volatile forms of leukemia (or cancer period) known to man. I hope this is more than just a fluke or an elaborate stunt by a desperate team of researches to get more funding, or some other issue.

Shes incredibly fragile emotionally and even the slightest bit of hope for future cures will be enough to quell emotional undulations. Ty for the info.

Ps your link is dead.

[Stephan]

Sorry, fixed link.

[Epsilon]

if only all the money in tithing was used for research, more lives would have be saved. Praying for miracles, and funding preachers careers is a misuse of valuable resources. I know we need more funding and maybe it's not fair to target religion, but I just did it anyways.