Promising new treatment to battle blood cancer trialled
July 14, 2022
More than 50 Australians each day are diagnosed with blood cancer and there are no early screening programs available, meaning many more are left undiagnosed.
Now, in clinical trials, researchers have developed a dual strategy to develop a new type of immunotherapy which promises to be more potent in destroying cancer cells.
It involves boosting the number of immune cells, called iNKT, which are depleted in cancer patients.
“Combining this therapy together with the type of immunotherapy is showing significant effectiveness,” Mika Casey, senior research assistant at QIMR Berghofer, said.
The five-year survival rate for blood cancer in Australia is about 70 per cent, which has sparked this new research into treatment.
When mother of four Bernadette Savonoff experienced ongoing tiredness she was shocked to find out the sinister cause: myeloma.
“I was completely fatigued and then of course upon getting a blood test I was anaemic, blood wasn’t being formed properly,” Savonoff said.
The 48-year-old had chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in 2019 but there’s the risk of relapse.
“We’re still looking for a cure or something that will push it away for good,” she said.
Savonoff is excited about the prospect of the new treatment and ongoing research for the disease.
“We’re looking for answers we really need answers,” Savonoff said.
9news
