3D illustration of T cells attacking a cancer cell (Photo 96819432 © Meletios Verras | Dreamstime.com)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Made in Alberta

CAR T-cell therapy showing positive outcomes for cancer patients, AHS says

Jun 24, 2022 | 3:35 PM

Clinical trials for “Made-in-Alberta” Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are showing promising results for some patients where chemotherapy and radiation have stopped working, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).

AHS shared the story of Don Grass who, last fall, suffered a relapse seven weeks after finishing two years of traditional chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They said, at the time, he made the difficult decision to go into hospice care as he didn’t feel he could withstand more chemotherapy.

“That very same day, I was offered the chance to enter the new CAR-T trial,” said Goss. “This new, revolutionary treatment has saved my life. I am now three months and counting since I had it and am cancer-free, without suffering the considerable side effects of chemo.”

CAR T-cell therapy genetically reprograms a person’s immune cells to attack cancer cells in the body. A patient’s T-cells are extracted and, in a laboratory, they are genetically modified and multiplied before being returned to the patient.

Most patients, AHS says, receive only one infusion as these cells continue to multiply and fight cancer cells. This therapy is used to treat children and adults with specific types of leukemia and lymphoma for whom chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment have stopped working.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

The clinical trials for the Made in Alberta treatment at Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute use CAR T-cell therapy developed by AHS in collaboration with the University of Alberta. According to AHS, approximately 80 per cent of patients in these trials have seen their cancers significantly diminish or are in long-term remission after CAR T-cell therapy.

“Providing Albertans convenient and swift treatment at home with a Made-in-Alberta solution is a step in the right direction,” said Jason Copping, Minister of Health. “CAR T-cell therapy could be a game-changer as we are seeing some remarkable results. Because of the Alberta Cellular Therapy Program grant through Alberta’s government, clinical trials, like CAR-T therapy, can provide hope for Albertans when they need it the most.”

AHS confirmed that they established clinical trials for the first patients to begin the Made-in-Alberta treatment in March 2021 with funding from a $10-million investment from the Government of Alberta and a $5-million grant from the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

“Leading the Made-in-Alberta trial is an exciting opportunity to bring additional cell therapy options to Albertans,” said medical oncologist Dr. Michael Chu, lead of the clinical trials that are based at the Cross Cancer Institute. “We have successfully treated 10 patients to date and are seeing long-term remission in some, suggesting that we may have cured them of their cancer after all other treatments have failed.”

Standard of care CAR-T therapy is also offered using a commercially available product. Using these products, AHS confirms 18 patients to date have been treated at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. This fall, they say it will expand to offer these products at the Cross Cancer Centre Institute.

The Made-in-Alberta clinical trials, AHS says, will expand to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre by the end of summer.

Clinical trials are studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs or procedures. Patients volunteer to participate in these studies, and medical professionals gain valuable information from the results. AHS says clinical trials are one of the best ways to test new methods to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent cancer.