Girl, 13, ‘leukaemia-free’ after world-first use of cell engineering therapy at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital

Alyssa became the first patient enrolled onto a new clinical trial (Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children/PA)

A 13-year-old girl who relapsed with a particular type of blood cancer is now leukaemia-free after a world-first use of what scientists have described as the most sophisticated cell engineering to date.

Alyssa, whose family did not wish to give their surname, said she felt that taking the experimental new treatment for the disease would help others, adding “of course I’m going to do it”.