Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology (VRISG) has successfully treated a 4-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia using CAR-T cell therapy. After two months of treatment at Vinmec, the patient’s peripheral blood tests and bone marrow tests recorded no cancer cells or malignant cells, respectively, and the patient met the criteria for complete remission.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a prevalent cancer in children, and the standard treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. However, approximately 20% of children with this disease exhibit treatment resistance or experience relapse. These cases often lead to a limited life expectancy due to the rapid proliferation of cancer cells, which can cause blockages in the brain and organs. Despite undergoing five cycles of chemotherapy and three cycles of intensified chemotherapy in 2022 and early 2023, the 4-year-old patient named Tran Bao Chi did not experience any improvement in her condition.
In June 2023, the patient was admitted to Vinmec Times City International Hospital to continue chemotherapy and undergo preparations for CAR-T cell therapy, which involves the infusion of genetically engineered immune T-cells (CAR) to target and eradicate cancer cells. After multiple consultations with colleagues from Vinmec International Hospital and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem and the research team decided to use CAR-T cell therapy for the patient as it represented the last chance for survival.
On July 19, 2023, the patient received a CAR-T cell infusion. Although the patient experienced symptoms of cytokine release syndrome, it was promptly detected and treated. After 30 days, the patient regained consciousness, resumed normal activities, and showed no signs of neurotoxicity. Through a series of rigorous tests, it was concluded that there were no cancer cells in the patient’s peripheral blood and bone marrow, and the patient achieved complete remission. The patient was discharged on August 21, 2023. This is the first successful CAR-T cell therapy case in Vietnam, giving hope to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymph node cancers who do not respond to standard treatment regimens.
This therapy has been approved in some countries to be used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma in patients not responding to standard treatment regimens, and its success rate ranges from 60% to 80%.
The Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology (VRISG), part of the Vinmec Healthcare System, is a pioneering institution in the field of genetics and stem cells, focusing on researching and applying new methods in Vietnam. Currently, VRISG is implementing the project “Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy using Miltenyi’s technology for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and CD19+ relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, following standard treatment protocols”. This is a key project of the Vinmec Healthcare System aimed at applying one of the leading technologies in cancer treatment in Vietnam. It is the first clinical trial of CAR-T cell therapy approved by the Ministry of Health to be conducted in Vietnam. The project is funded by Vingroup, and all participating patients receive treatment free of charge.
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