A promising new cancer treatment is now available in Alberta, which will allow cancer patients to remain in the province and not have to travel elsewhere for treatment.
The Alberta government says the first Albertans received an approved CAR T-cell therapy last month at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.
In addition, a clinical trial to develop a made-in-Alberta CAR T-cell therapy is underway at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
CAR T-cell therapy genetically reprograms a person’s immune cells to attack cancer cells in their body. It is used to treat children and adults with specific types of leukemia and lymphoma and is considered the standard of care for these cancers if they recur.
The province partnered with the Alberta Cancer Foundation to provide $15 million to Alberta Health Services so the treatment can be provided closer to home.
“Alberta’s government is excited to offer this innovative treatment in our province, providing Albertans who urgently need this care with timely and convenient access here at home,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “I’m proud that Alberta has successfully launched its own CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial and is the third province to provide access to an approved version of this revolutionary cancer treatment.”
The province says CAR T-cell therapy trials have demonstrated durable remissions and potential cures in about 50 percent of adults and 80 percent of children and young adults.
It is expected about 150 Albertans may be eligible to receive this treatment over the next three years.
