015 CAR-T Cell Therapy: The Age of Living Cancer Drugs

For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology and Other Stories

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) represent one of the most profound and exciting advances in modern medicine and science. Many lymphoma patients fail therapy after therapy with little recourse. CAR-T aimed to stop that. Taking immune T-cells from the patient, engineering them to target cancer cells, and re-releasing them into the patient would’ve sounded crazy 20 years ago. Thanks to modern technology, science, and clinical practice we’ve created something powerful. The CAR-T enter patients and attack the tumor, but a massive immune reaction can induce massive side effects. This episode explores some of the exciting news, future possibilities, and ethical challenges of CAR-T use for lymphoma treatments. I hope you enjoy!