I find the idea of T cell and dendritic cell therapy to be exciting and it makes me feel extremely hopeful for the future of certain treatment options. There is a type of T cell therapy called “CAR T-cell therapy.” This is specifically for people who suffer from cancer and are seeking this type of treatment. There are two different therapy options that “use a patients own modified white blood cells to kill cancer cells.” When the blood is taken from the patient, the T cells are modified to have receptors called chimeric antigen receptors which recognize cancer better than the original T cells.
This type of therapy is a subset of immunotherapy which uses the bodies own cells to fight off disease. I find this so fascinating because researchers are modifying the human body’s incredible capabilities to fight various disease more effectively and/ or at a quicker rate. The CAR T-cells are more effective because they recognize antigens that are associated with tumor formation. These T cells replicate the correct tumor surface antigen receptors and then they are able to effectively kill the cancer cells. The development and research of these cells will be a lengthy process because they have been known to cause negative side effects, some of which are listed below.
Specifically for cancer, the treatment occurs in six different steps. First, the patients blood it taken from their body and the T cells are separated. Next, as stated above, the T cells are genetically modified to have CAR receptors. These are grown and then inserted back into the patients blood after they receive chemotherapy. Although it is unlikely, there are multiple different side effects than can occur. These include flu-like symptoms as a result of the release of cytokines (which we are learning about in class,) low white blood cell count along with low red blood cell count. The price of this therapy is very costly at around 373,000 for an infusion. This is concerning because the therapy is not very cost-effective since many patients are not cured after the first treatment. It is sad to read that the costs are so unaffordable, but hopefully with more research there will be more cost-effective treatments available for all people who would benefit from the therapy.
Isley's Blog 