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    Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy / coronary artery disease / kids and infections: Mayo Clinic Radio

In the fight against cancer, one of the most promising treatment advances is harnessing the power of the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cell therapy) uses genetically modified versions of a patient’s own immune cells to fight his or her cancer. These engineered cells multiply and act like a living drug that uses the body’s own defense system to fight disease.

CAR T-cell therapy begins by collecting a patient’s white blood cells (T-cells) and sending them to a central manufacturing facility, where they are genetically modified to direct them against a patient’s cancer. Once processed, the CAR T-cells are frozen and sent back to the hospital for IV infusion back into the patient.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Yi Lin, chair of the Cellular Therapeutics Cross-Disciplinary Group at Mayo Clinic, will explain how CAR T-cell therapy works and where the research is headed next. Also on the program, Dr. Charanjit Rihal, an interventional cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease. And Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, will share tips on how to help kids avoid common infections.

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