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World First: Gene Therapy Eradicates Incurable Leukemia in Teen
9 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A 16-year-old is the first patient globally to receive new gene therapy.
- The groundbreaking treatment successfully cleared aggressive leukemia.
- The patient has been cancer-free for three years following the therapy.
A remarkable medical breakthrough has seen a 16-year-old girl declared free of an incurable blood cancer. Alyssa Tapley received a revolutionary new gene therapy three years ago, making her the first patient globally to undergo this experimental treatment for aggressive leukemia.
The intensive treatment, which included two bone marrow transplants and the gene therapy, was administered at Great Ormond Street Hospital. This pioneering approach has proven successful, leading to Alyssa remaining cancer-free since the procedure, a significant milestone in cancer research and patient care.
Her story offers a beacon of hope for countless individuals facing similar diagnoses. The success of this gene therapy marks a pivotal moment, potentially paving the way for new, effective treatments for previously untreatable blood cancers.
