![]() ![]() Burgess added, “We also have a notable track record and a high volume of experience with CAR-T trials.” It is also known for its comprehensive transplant program, exceptional research and reputable genitourinary oncology program. Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) was selected among the limited number of sites for this study because it offers one of the nation’s leading cellular therapy programs. Since then, other patients have joined the study. He was the first patient enrolled in the trial at Levine Cancer Institute. Rodney was healthy enough and had a low enough cancer burden (based on tumor size and number of cancer cells) to qualify. Patients must be otherwise healthy since the study requires them to go two to three months without having another type of effective cancer therapy. To be eligible for the study, patients must have metastatic prostate cancer and have had prior therapy. “We’re training the patient’s immune system to kill the cancer cells directly.” “We’re basically genetically engineering the T cells to attack prostate cancer cells,” explained Burgess. For Rodney’s treatment, the gene that was used is specific to prostate cancer. The only difference among standard CAR T-cell therapies is the gene that’s inserted into the T-cell target. Store modified T cells in a freezer until they can be infused into the patient.Modify the T cells in a laboratory, genetically engineering them to attack a specific cancer cell target.Collect and store the separated blood cells, including the white cells and T cells.Collect the patient’s blood cells and separate them using an apheresis machine.Regardless of the type of cancer, CAR T-cell therapy involves the following steps: It’s exciting to provide very early access to novel treatments and have the chance to improve the standard of care.” “It has the potential to be a game changer for patients with incurable disease. “It’s giving us hope that we might really see a significant change in the natural history of the disease,” Burgess explained. The clinical trial is a novel, first-in-class approach to managing prostate cancer. These patients can live five to 10 years with metastatic disease. Once a patient has metastatic prostate cancer, doctors usually focus on palliative care to extend their length and quality of life rather than trying to cure the disease. In January 2022, Rodney became one of the first patients in the country and the first in the region to receive CAR T-cell therapy for prostate cancer. “It sounded like magic and science fiction to me!” said Rodney. Researchers are now trying to apply the treatment to patients with metastatic solid-state tumors, like prostate cancer.ĬAR T-cell therapy is a personalized treatment that’s made by removing T lymphocytes (also called T cells) from the patient and engineering them to be able to recognize and attack the patient’s own cancer cells. For over five years, this revolutionary therapy has been helping patients with blood cancers, curing many who would otherwise have died. They continued to increase on a steady incline, which meant he needed more treatment.īurgess told Rodney about a new study involving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. He initially responded well to chemotherapy, but then his prostate-specific antigen (a protein produced by the prostate and prostate cancer) levels began to rise. Rodney’s scans showed metastatic prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. Earle Burgess, chief of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute’s genitourinary oncology program and medical director of the clinical trials unit. At the time, Rodney thought, “You die with prostate cancer, not from prostate cancer.” His internist ordered a biopsy and later diagnosed him with prostate cancer. Just before his retirement, he started having some concerning urinary symptoms. He had enjoyed over 30 years of “incredibly fulfilling” work in the heart catheterization lab, where he helped “stop heart attacks in their tracks.” Six years ago, Charlotte resident Rodney Glover retired from Atrium Health. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |