What is Oscar's CAR T-cell treatment?

Oscar is receiving CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment where his own engineered T-cells are infused to fight his aggressive blood cancer.

Where is the CAR T-cell therapy available in England?

The CAR T-cell therapy is available at several centers in England, including Cambridge, Newcastle, Sheffield, Plymouth, and London.

How much does the new CAR T-cell therapy cost?

The list price for the CAR T-cell therapy is £372,000 per infusion, with the NHS having a confidential discount.

Home / Health / Living Drug Delivers Sci-Fi Cancer Cure in England

Living Drug Delivers Sci-Fi Cancer Cure in England

14 Jan

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Summary

CAR T-cell therapy uses 100 million cells in a tiny dose.
The innovative treatment is developed in the UK for patients.
England offers this advanced therapy costing £372,000 per infusion.

Living Drug Delivers Sci-Fi Cancer Cure in England

A revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy, hailed as a landmark achievement in aggressive blood cancer treatment, is now accessible in England. This innovative 'living drug' involves infusing millions of the patient's own engineered T-cells, which then multiply and target cancer cells within the body. Oscar, one of the first patients, expressed amazement at the potent effectiveness of such a small, concentrated dose.

The CAR-T therapy was developed by Autolus, a UK-based spin-out from University College London, marking a significant advancement in domestic medical research. Previously, patients' cells required processing in US laboratories. The treatment's list price is £372,000 per infusion, though the NHS benefits from a confidential discount.

This therapy will be available to around 50 patients annually over the age of 26 with B-cell ALL that has proven resistant to other treatments. While initially offered in centers across England, patients from Wales and Northern Ireland will need to travel for treatment. Experts believe this therapy could eventually supersede stem cell transplantation as a first-line approach.