New therapy training immune system to attack cancer give scientists cause for hope

A potentially revolutionary therapy that trains the immune system to attack cancer has shown “extraordinary” results in early trials involving terminally ill patients.

In one study, 94% of participants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia saw their symptoms vanish completely. Patients with other blood cancers saw response rates greater than 80%, with more than half experiencing complete remission.

The technique involves removing immune cells called T-cells from patients, tagging them “receptor” molecules that target cancer, and infusing them back in the body.