It started:
A few years ago In a cancer treatment breakthrough 20 years in the making, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine were able to show sustained remissions of up to a year among a small group of advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with genetically engineered versions of their own T cells. The protocol, which involves removing patients' cells and modifying them in a vaccine production facility, then infusing the new cells back into the patient's body following chemotherapy, provided a tumor-attack roadmap for the treatment of this and other cancers. The findings were the first demonstration of the use of gene transfer therapy to create "serial killer" T cells aimed at cancerous tumors.
It's here:
Adoptive Transfer of Autologous T Cells Targeted to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CMPC)
Where:
Memorial Sloan Kettering: mskcc.org/
Purpose:
This phase I study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of different doses of a patient’s own immune cells (T cells) which have been changed to help recognize and destroy his prostate cancer cells by targeting a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen. The T cells are removed from the patient’s blood, modified with a gene in the laboratory so they are better able to recognize and kill prostate cancer cells, and then returned to the patient’s body. This gene is inserted into the T cells using a weakened virus. /
It is hoped that this approach will help each patient’s own T cells recognize his prostate cancer cells and possibly kill them.
Eligibility for the Clincal Trials:
To be eligible for this study, patients must meet several criteria, including but not limited to the following:
Patients must have metastatic prostate cancer that has not yet been treated with chemotherapy. Patients may have had hormonal therapy.
Patients must have rising PSA levels and a serum testosterone level under 50 ng/mL.
Patients must be age 18 or older.
For more information about this study and to inquire about eligibility, please contact Dr. Susan F. Slovin at 646-422-4470 or Dr. Howard Scher at 646-422-4330.