Part 6/7:
While the success stories like Josh’s fuel optimism, the journey of CAR T-cell therapy is still ongoing. Currently, about 40% of patients treated with CAR T find themselves cancer-free, which is a remarkable breakthrough. However, this also indicates that approximately 60% of patients experience a relapse or their cancer returns, highlighting the need for continued research and improvement.
Experts acknowledge that the key challenge now is prolonging the durability of remission. Researchers and clinicians are working tirelessly to enhance the therapy’s effectiveness, aiming to help more patients achieve lasting cures. The technology signifies a paradigm shift in oncology—marking a transition from purely symptom management to harnessing the body’s own immune system to heal itself.