[ExI] Gene therapy cure for cancer at last!

[BillK]

Novartis is betting billions on getting true cures for cancers with
major commercialization in a few years but taking 20-30 years for the
medical transformation.
<http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/05/novartis-is-betting-billions-on-getting.html>

Developments at the University of Pennsylvania point to what would
rank among the great milestones in the history of mankind: a true cure
for cancer. Of 22 children and 5 adults with Emily's disease [acute
lymphoblastic leukemia], ALL, 27 had a complete remission, in which
cancer becomes undetectable.

These were gravely ill patients out of options. Some had tried
multiple bone marrow transplants and up to 10 types of chemotherapy or
other treatments.

Novartis , the third-biggest drug company on the Forbes Global 2000,
is making this one of the top priorities in its $9.9 billion research
and development budget.

It's a stunning breakthrough," says Sally Church, of drug development
advisor Icarus Consultants. Says Crystal Mackall, who is developing
similar treatments at the National Cancer Institute: "It really is a
revolution. This is going to open the door for all sorts of cell-based
and gene therapy for all kinds of disease because it's going to
demonstrate that it's economically viable."

Novartis has to run clinical trials in both kids and adults at
hospitals around the world, ready a manufacturing plant to create
individualized treatments for patients and figure out how to limit the
side effects that nearly killed Emily. But Novartis forecasts all that
work will be done by 2016, when it files with the FDA.
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BillK