Gene Therapy Using T-Cells Helps Child Beat Leukemia - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Gene Therapy Using T-Cells Helps Child Beat Leukemia

Posted: Updated:
PHILADELPHIA -

Ground-breaking therapy is helping kids beat cancer. Doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are using gene therapy to help children battle leukemia.

Emily Whitehead faced a death sentence when she was diagnosed with the disease. However, just three weeks after her infusion last April, the 7-year-old was cancer free.

Doctors use T-cells from a patient's immune system to battle the cancer. They say this procedure is promising, but there are many others out there still battling the disease.

"There are still many too many patients, children and adults alike, that have leukemia that is incurable," said Dr. David Porter, of the Perelman Center For Advanced Medicine. "Our effective therapies stop working after a time. Many of these patients can be cured through very risky procedures like bone marrow transplant,"

Emily was one of 10 patients who underwent t-cell treatment. Two did not get better.

(Video Courtesy: Fox News Channel)

  • FOX 29 Health Features

  • Friday, May 17 2013 1:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:49:36 GMT
    Henna tattoos are very popular, but Fox 29's Joyce Evans has a warning everyone should see regarding black henna.
    Henna tattoos are very popular, but Fox 29's Joyce Evans has a warning everyone should see regarding black henna.
  • Friday, May 17 2013 10:29 AM EDT2013-05-17 14:29:36 GMT
    A new drug is popping up in schools in the suburbs. What parents need to know before it's too late.
    A new drug is popping up in schools in the suburbs. What parents need to know before it's too late.
  • Thursday, May 16 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-16 15:50:32 GMT
    Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
    Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
  • Local News

  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:22:16 GMT

    Tuesday morning will feature another round patchy fog. It will be a mild and muggy start with temps in the mid 60s for the city and around 60 for the suburbs.  Look for more clouds than sun with highs the low 80s. There could be a few spotty showers during the day.

     

     

     

    Tuesday: (83/65) clouds/sun

     

  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:21:09 GMT
    A picture taken of the rare Ben Franklin bust, valued at $3 million. The bust was stolen from a Brywn Mawr home in August.
    A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
    A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
  • Monday, May 20 2013 1:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:57:28 GMT
    It may not have been the $590.5-million jackpot, but there was at least one big winning ticket sold locally for Saturday night's Powerball drawing.
    It may not have been the $590.5-million jackpot, but there was at least one big winning ticket sold locally for Saturday night's Powerball drawing.
Powered by WorldNow

WTXF-TV
330 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796

Phone: (215) 925-2929
Fax: (215) 982-5494

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices