Cancer-killing Treatment Approved In Australia
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published December 19, 2018 | 02:25 PM
A "revolutionary" cancer drug that supercharges immune cells to hunt and kill cancer cells has been approved for human use in Australia.
CANBERRA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Dec, 2018 ) :A "revolutionary" cancer drug that supercharges immune cells to hunt and kill cancer cells has been approved for human use in Australia.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on Wednesday announced that CAR-T therapy has been approved for use in pediatric and young adult patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and adults with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
CAR-T therapy trains immune cells to fight and kill cancer cells by first extracting them from a patient's body to genetically re-engineer them before infusing them back into the body.
Prior to the TGA approving the treatment, patients with aggressive blood cancers who had exhausted all other treatments had been traveling overseas to be treated.
Daniel Clarke, 45, traveled with his family to the United States so he could receive CAR-T treatment for his DLBCL. Within one month his cancer had vanished.
"I felt like someone had just handed my life back to me," he told Fairfax Media on Wednesday.
"It has all happened so quickly. Late September we (went to Boston) not knowing what to expect, hoping for the best, fearing the worst. Then come November I was in complete remission." Global pharmaceutical giant Novartis owns the therapy and has already increased production to keep up with global demand.
"We are focused on ramping up capacity at our U.S. and Switzerland facilities and we recently announced a collaboration agreement for additional manufacturing capacity with Fraunhofer (Germany) and CellforCure (France)," spokesperson Lauren Carey said.
"These additional manufacturing facilities are intended to support production on a global scale." However, CAR-T therapy is not classified as a "drug", so it cannot be subsidized by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Patients who undergo the treatment in Australia face an out-of-pocket cost of up to 598,000 Australian Dollars.
Greg Hunt, Australia's Minister for Health, has flagged his intention to have the treatment subsidized as soon as possible.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
Governor for service oriented governance in Punjab
Survivors tell of panic at C.Africa river boat disaster
Enrolment campaign, awareness walk held in Lower Chitral
More Stories From Health
-
Rawalpindi woman gives birth to six babies
4 days ago -
DC calls for intensive anti-polio drive in ICT
5 days ago -
World Hemophilia Day observed to underscore importance of providing comprehensive care
6 days ago -
Six in a family with heart on the 'right side'
6 days ago -
Diabetic disease increasing rapidly : Dr. Noor Elahi Memon
6 days ago -
World Hemophilia Day observed
6 days ago
-
ATC dismisses bail petition of doctor involved in illegal kidneys transplant
14 days ago -
Dr. Shehzad warns against deviation from WHO guidelines on anti-smoking
14 days ago -
Health activists express concerns over attempts to derail tobacco control
16 days ago -
UHS declares MBBS first prof, MS urology exam results
25 days ago -
Increased diagnostic testing for drug resistance
1 month ago -
IRD releases groundbreaking results of end TB programme
1 month ago