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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Robin McKie Observer science editor

Revolutionary gene therapy offers hope for untreatable cancers

Alyssa, 13, decided to donate her hair when she found out she would lose it during treatment. She has now been in remission for six months after receiving base-edited T-cells.
Alyssa, 13, decided to donate her hair when she found out she would lose it during treatment. She has now been in remission for six months after receiving base-edited T-cells. Photograph: Family Handout

Scientists in the UK have used a revolutionary new type of gene therapy to treat a young patient with relapsed T-cell leukaemia. The administration of the technique – a world first – has raised hopes it could soon help to tackle other childhood cancers and serious diseases.

Alyssa, from Leicester, had undergone chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in a bid to alleviate her leukaemia, without success. With no further treatments available, prospects for the 13-year-old were grim.

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