T Cell Immunotherapy for Leukemia

By Klaus D. Linse

Scientists at Perelman School of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have pioneered a new therapy for the cure of leukemia. The therapy is called the “T cell Immunotherapy for Leukemia.”

How does this Immunotherapy work ?

First, the patient’s own immune cells (T cells) need to be removed from the blood. The cells are then genetically modified in the laboratory by infecting them with a virus.

This genetic modification allows the T cells to potentially target and kill their own CLL cells. The modified cells are then grown in the laboratory and re-infused into the patient.

If the patient’s own T-cells recognize and bind to the CLL cell they become activated and kill the leukemia cell.

This new therapy appears to be a new way that has a very high potential to cure advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Patients seeking information about this trial may visit http://www.penncancer.org/Tcelltherapy/.

What is Chronic lymphoid leukemia

Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), is the most common type of leukemia. It is a blood and bone marrow disease that slowly gets worse. This disease is the second most common type of leukemia in adults, often occurring during or after middle age and can occur in children as well. In the case of children it is a rare disease.

Categories: Genetics

Tags: Cancer, Immunotherapy, Leukemia, T cells