LEUKAEMIA 'CURE' THERAPY ON NHS

New treatment offers hope to Harry, 19

- MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

A LEUKAEMIA “cure” that reprogrammes immune cells to recognise and tackle the cancer is being offered on the NHS.

The country’s top cancer doctor announced the rollout of the new form of CAR T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer.

Prof Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: "This 'living medicine' boosts a patient's immune system and guides T-cells towards the cancer to kill it.

"This cutting-edge therapy has shown real promise in trials and could give patients a chance to live free from cancer for longer and, for some, it could offer hope of a cure."