A hopeful advance has been highlighted by the medical community: the case of Emma Dimery, 36, who managed to win Advanced colorectal cancer Thanks to an experimental therapy developed by the University of Minnesota, after 13 years to fight the disease.
The case has surprised the medical sector, since Dimery became the first patient to receive such treatment. This discovery occurs in a context marked by financial cuts that could jeopardize the continuity of medical projects such as this, according to the Chicago NBC chain.
It was in an interview with that chain that Dimery reported how, after years of facing surgeries, chemotherapies and radiotherapies, Its colorectal cancer Stage four was apparently cured through this innovative therapy.
In the conversation, the patient recalled that she was diagnosed at age 23, after two tumors were detected. “They found a tumor the size of a softball ball and another the size of a golf ball,” he said.
According to what was reported by Today.comthe advance in its diagnosis occurred after a blood test that showed low levels of hemoglobin. From this, new tests were carried out that confirmed colorectal cancer in stadium three, which progressed over time to stage four.
“I was practically drifting for about four years, receiving immunotherapy every two weeks, waiting for a clinical trial. He had exhausted practically all other treatment options,” he told NBC.
It was then that he decided to register in the clinical trial of the University of Minnesota, where, at the end of 2022, he began experimental treatment.
In 2023, Dimery ended its therapeutic process under the supervision of the research medical team. Two months later, the analyzes did not show evidence of illness, according to his oncologist, Dr. Emil Lou, main rehearsal researcher.
“Until then, I had been a cancer patient throughout my adult life. It was incredible,” he told Today.com.
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What is experimental treatment?
The procedure, even in an experimental phase, is based on the genetic edition called CRISPR. This technique allows modifying immune system cells, which are genetically altered to attack cancer cells.
“The therapy, a sophisticated form of cell immunotherapy, consisted of extracting Emma’s own T cells, modifying them into a laboratory to recognize and attack their specific cancer cells, and then reintroduce them into their bloodstream, transforming their immune system into a precision weapon against malignancy,” says the portal The university cube.
Dr. Emil Lou explained to Today.com That, in the case of Emma Dimery, the Cish gene was deactivated, responsible for one of the mechanisms that prevent the immune system Detect cancer. This procedure must adapt individually to each patient.
The medical community warns fragility in the study
Despite the progress, the scientific community has expressed concern about the possible reduction of funds for health research institutions in the United States.
The Chicago NBC chain reported that the Donald Trump administration contemplates budget cuts to the National Institute of Health (NIH), which could affect the continuity of research such as this, as well as the development of treatments for other diseases.