CAR-T stands for chimeric antigen receptor T cells – but no one has to remember that. Rather, what is important is that behind the four letters is a revolution in cancer medicine.
CAR-T cell therapies are used for rare blood cancers.
They create a life perspective for seriously ill people that they no longer had.
For years, there have been various, very effective therapies against blood cancer: Chemo is one of them, an increasing range of modern drugs and stem cell therapy is also used.
But for many sufferers, unfortunately, the cancer can come back. And with each reawakening, the chances that the next therapy will respond dwindle. At some point it is said: These people have been treated through. But actually, this means that these people will die.Then came the year 2018. The first two CAR-T therapies saw the light of drug approval – they are immune, cell and gene therapy in one. Blood is taken from those affected; this is genetically processed and infused again.
Now the blood contains all the information to fight the cancer cells against which it was previously powerless.
CAR-T is not a classic medicine. It is a building instruction that helps our immune system on the jumps. It is a very effective building instruction.
Emily Whitehead was the first child to be treated with CAR-T. She has been cancer-free for eight years.
CAR-T is not the result of believing, praying and hoping. It is the result of cutting-edge research.
Only here will we find the keys so that the Emilys of this world can be treated.
Emily also said at some point: We can't do anything anymore. The difference: Nobody wanted to give up.
There are many diseases, such as Alström syndrome, that cannot be treated to this day. That is why we must not give up.
We can change that, as the example of CAR-T shows.
Because the unthinkable is possible.
# BECAUSE WE CAN
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