Revolutionary therapy treats ‘untreatable’ blood cancerA world-first gene therapy which turns white blood cells into a disease-busting “living drug” has reversed previously untreatable blood cancers, scientists said this week. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and King’s College Hospital in London treated nine children and two adults with T-cell leukaemia using the technique, which scientists said triggered a “deep remission” in the majority. Developed by GOSH and University College London (UCL), the technique involves editing the genetic code of donor white T-cells to target cancer cells without attacking the patient’s body. “A few years ago this would have been science fiction,” said UCL’s Prof Waseem Qasim. “My ultimate goal is to become a research scientist and be part of the next big discovery that can help people like me.”Image: Great Ormond Street Hospital