NHS Patient on Pioneering Gene Treatment Aims for 2026 Cure

A London woman, Kavita Mehta, is embracing a new future following a pioneering gene-editing treatment on the NHS. Mehta, who has lived with beta thalassaemia since infancy, underwent the Casgevy treatment in November. This innovative therapy involves editing a patient's blood stem cells to enable the body to produce haemoglobin, potentially curing the debilitating genetic disorder.

Previously dependent on frequent blood transfusions and iron chelation treatments, Mehta experienced significant life limitations due to her condition. The Casgevy treatment, which utilizes CRISPR technology, works by reactivating foetal haemoglobin production. After an intensive chemotherapy course and a six-week hospital stay, Mehta is now recovering at home, with early indicators suggesting the treatment is successful.

Mehta expressed profound gratitude for the treatment's availability on the NHS and hopes for broader access for other patients. While requiring one year of transfusion independence for a definitive cure, she is optimistic about achieving this milestone by 2026. The success of Casgevy in clinical trials, with 93% of patients remaining transfusion-independent for at least a year, offers immense hope for the beta thalassaemia community.