09/06/11 A Recent Study Funded By The Greenwich Based Alliance For Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) Has Yielded New Results In The Field Of Leukemia

Greenwich Cancer Group's Research Could Provide A New More Effective Treatment For Leukemia

ACGT fellow Dr. Carl June and his research team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine have been searching for alternative treatment options for leukemia other than traditional methods like chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow transplants. Following a 20 year long search, they have finally been met with success.

Their treatment is the first demonstration that uses gene transfer therapy to create T-cells to target cancerous tumors. In the treatment, the patient’s own T-cells are removed, modified and then reinfused back into the body following chemotherapy.

Despite a small clinical trial size of only three patients, the study has more than exceeded expectations. The results are incredibly promising, with patients in remission for up to a year, and some even in complete remission.

The results, first published in the August issues of the New England Journal of Medicine and Science Translational Medicine, have been making serious waves in the press, and have appeared on both NBC and Fox News. All those involved in the research are thrilled, and no one more so than ACGT co-founder Barbara Netter of Greenwich.

“There are several approaches to gene therapy, and we’re hoping that one day, there might be one way to take care of all cancer. Little by little, there is progress being made, and this is a wonderful breakthrough,” said Mrs. Netter.

Mrs. Netter and her husband, the late Edward Netter were a couple who always felt passionate about the search for the cure for cancer. However, it was not until their daughter-in-law passed away following a 10 year battle with breast cancer that they decided to take action.

After attending countless symposiums and seminars that showed promising treatments for various forms of cancer, together they founded the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (AGCT) in 2001. Since that time, the non-profit has raised more then $22 million and has provided more than 37 cancer research fellows with grants.

Once just composed of just the Netters, the alliance has grown to include a board of directors comprised of 15 individuals, and a scientific advisory council including 17 preeminent scientists. Together, the board and council work towards making decisions of who and what to fund, with the goal of giving grants to those capable of making significant differences in cancer gene therapy research.

September is Leukemia Awareness Month. Leukemia is the most common blood disease in the US, affecting roughly 15,000 people, and killing more than 4,300 with each year. Chemotherapy and radiation merely provide short term solutions, only stalling the disease for a short time, at best. Currently, the only “cure” for leukemia is a bone marrow transplant, which is known to be a very risky operation with many dangerous side effects. Consequently, Dr. June and his team’s results provide new hope for the future of cancer treatment, and the possibility of making great strides in finding a cure for cancer.

“The hope for gene therapy is to find a safe and effective cure for cancer where there are not many side effects, such as there are in other treatments,” said Mrs. Netter.

ACGT is currently funding 17 clinical trials, a significant accomplishment for an organization that is the nation’s only existing non-profit focused on cell and gene cancer therapy research. Originally a foundation, today the organization is a public charity, with all donations going towards funding research. To raise money for grants, ACGT accepts donations and hosts events. This upcoming April, they will mark their 10th anniversary with a celebration honoring the life Edward Netter, who died this past February.

“When we first heard about gene therapy, we were so excited. We felt like this would be the answer to cancer at some point of time, and we dedicated our energy and resources into this. This is a wonderful day and age now, and we’re finally beginning to see what’s happening in the labs being transferred to the beside,” said Mrs. Netter.

For more information, visit Acgtfoundation.org.

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