Press Release - 18th November 2004
Ground-Breaking
Research Unveiled In Manchester
More than 100 international cancer experts converged in Manchester
recently to discuss ground-breaking research using genetically engineered
cells to help combat cancer.
It was revealed at the meeting "Cellular Therapy of Cancer",
hosted by The Christie, that many scientific and clinical
developments are currently taking place in this exciting field which
could one day improve treatments of cancer throughout the world
Particularly
exciting were the clinical results described by a group in the United States
who are treating patients with melanoma - a
very difficult to treat form of skin cancer. Other groups, including
those from Manchester, are testing genetically engineered cells to
target a variety of cancers.
The Christie's Professor Robert Hawkins,
who organised the meeting, said: "This is a very promising area of
research and has the potential to produce effective treatment for a range
of cancers.
We have trials using genetically re-targeted T cells planned for
next year and hope to do a series of trials over the coming years.
More research is needed and we are also having to develop specialised
clinical and laboratory facilities to undertake these types of trials
safely. This will take time, but I am optimistic that it will be
an effective new form of therapy to add to our current treatments."
Professor Peter Stern, from the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research,
who chaired parts of the meeting added: "As we come to understand
how tumours evade destruction by the body's immune system, we can
begin to design better forms of immune therapy. Trials are being
done on cancer vaccines and there are potentially exciting developments
to make these even more effective and to combine cell therapy and
vaccines."
The Christie is currently raising money to develop Clinical
Facilities for Immunotherapy and for Laboratory Developments.
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The Christie in Manchester is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe - registering around 12,500 new patients and treating about 40,000 patients every year.
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