Some children battling cancer are now undergoing a less toxic form of drug treatment, presenting a hopeful shift away from traditional chemotherapy.
One of the young beneficiaries is 11-year-old Arthur, receiving this innovative therapy at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for his blood cancer.
His family, noting the comparatively minimal side effects, aptly describes the treatment as “a little bit of sunshine.”
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The drug, blinatumomab or blina, proved effective without causing significant discomfort, allowing Arthur to spend more time at home with his family, indulging in activities he loves.
The portable nature of the treatment, encapsulated in his “blina backpack,” enabled him to carry it on the go.
Arthur turned to blina when conventional chemotherapy failed to eliminate all traces of his cancer, leaving him weakened.
While blina is already approved for treating cancer in adults, ongoing efforts aim to demonstrate its safety and efficacy for children.
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Approximately 20 medical centers across the UK are employing blina off-label for children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL).
Blina operates as an immunotherapy, precisely targeting cancer cells for destruction by the body’s immune system without affecting healthy cells.
Disadvantages of Chemo
A marked contrast to the broader impact of chemotherapy administered as a liquid through a thin plastic tube into a vein, blina utilizes a battery-operated pump controlling the drug’s gradual release over several months.
The compact nature of the treatment apparatus, fitting into a backpack smaller than an A4 textbook, enhances its portability.
For Arthur, this meant he could engage in other activities, such as playing on park swings, during the treatment.
Unlike his previous intensive chemotherapy, which left him weakened, blina provided relief and did not hinder his ability to enjoy his days.
Though Arthur required periodic hospital visits for blina kit top-ups, he managed the treatment at home for most of the time.
His mother, Sandrine, expressed relief as blina eliminated the constant challenges associated with traditional chemotherapy, allowing Arthur a greater sense of control.
As the treatment progressed, Arthur reached a significant milestone in April 2023.
Blina is kinder
The tubing from his arm was removed, symbolizing freedom from the treatment regimen.
Medical professionals anticipate that blina could replace a substantial portion of chemotherapy.
Offering a gentler and kinder alternative for pediatric cancer patients.
Chief investigator and consultant paediatric haematologist Prof Ajay Vora explained,
“Chemotherapies are poisons that kill the leukaemic cells but also kill and damage normal cells.
“That is what causes their side effects. Blinatumomab is a gentler, kinder treatment.”
Blina stands out due to its affordability and immediate application without the need for complex cell alterations in a lab.
Thanks to this innovative treatment, Arthur has overcome his cancer.
