Reprogrammed T-Cells Are Leukemia “Serial Killers”

This microscopy image provided by Dr. Carl June on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 shows immune system T-cells, center, binding to beads which cause the cells to divide. Scientists are reporting the first clear success with gene therapy to treat leukemia. (Dr. Carl June/The Associated Press)

Three men who were suffering from advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are now healthy and cancer-free, thanks to a pair of clinical studies for a promising new gene therapy. The results, announced Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine and Science Translational Medicine, have medical researchers in thrall: “I’m getting goosebumps,” says University of Pennsylvania pathologist Michael Kalos, lead author of one [...]