Replies to post #74503 on PharmaCyte Biotech Inc (PMCB)

[Brian903]

Novartis AG’s CAR-T cell therapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, making it the first gene therapy to be available in the U.S.

Novartis’ NVS, +1.67% Kymriah was approved for young people up to age 25 with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

The list price is $475,000 for one-time treatment, Novartis said.

[Triple9]

However, there are still many obstacles to overcome. In particular, with side effects which can sometimes be fatal. There are major toxicities involved with CAR T-cell treatment. The hyperactive T cells can spiral so out of control, like an immunologic wrecking ball inside the body, that very sudden side effects can occur related to autoimmune effects. These may include unexpected organ damage, neurologic toxicities like speech impairment, seizures, hallucinations and facial nerve palsy. Some trials have even been shut down due to patient deaths.

In this special issue of CURE®, we hear the story of one little girl who experienced a “cytokine storm”— caused by CAR T-cells — so severe, that she was put into an induced coma for two weeks.

http://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2017/hematology-1-2017/weighing-the-benefits-and-risks-of-car-tcell-therapy-the-stakes-are-high


Yes, CAR T is hogging up the headlines because it's new. I personally like CiaB because it's proven chemo drugs without the usual side effects.