Gene Therapy Cures Cancer Patients

Gene Therapy Cures Cancer Patients
Two dying men have been cured of cancer using

genetically modified versions of their own immune cells.
Gene therapy wiped out the patients' skin tumours,

sparking hopes it could be customised to attack other

cancers.
The treatment kept the two men disease-free for at

least 18 months, US scientists said.

But 15 patients did not respond to the treatment and the

researchers said more work was needed to make it more

effective.
A tumour in a 52-year-old man's armpit disappeared and

another on his liver shrunk enough to be surgically

removed.
The researchers said they hope the same approach can

fight breast, lung and other cancers. ( file James c8)