We are fighting for a new cure, that children have a new hope!
Thanks to childhood cancer research, Liam got one last chance in Seattle. Unfortunately, there was no chance in Switzerland at that time.
Children’s oncologist Francesco Ceppi from CHUV in Lausanne, whom we got to know during our stay in Seattle, is in the process of developing a scientific study for Car-T therapy in Switzerland. This in close cooperation with the Seattle Children’s Hospital, which has years of experience in immunotherapy research. 93 percent of their patients went into remission thanks to therapy, before therapy the chance was 20 percent with common treatments (link to study).
It is obvious that we want to support this project in order to offer this treatment to children in Switzerland and Europe. Like Francesco Ceppi, we are convinced that this therapy will be the future:
In contrast to the Novartis product, the cells in this scientific study will be produced locally in Switzerland.
How does this immunotherapy work?
- Leukapheresis extracts the T-cells from the patient’s blood.
- The T-cells are reprogrammed so that they can recognise and destroy the patient’s leukaemia cells when they are returned.
- The Car-T cells are stimulated to multiply.
- The Car-T cells have to pass various quality controls.
- The patient receives the cells back by means of an infusion.
Through donations, it will be possible to offer children who have had one or more relapses another therapeutic opportunity and to continue the fight against childhood cancer!