Where Discovery Creates Hope - June 2022
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When chemotherapy didn’t work for her lymphocytic leukemia, Wanda Mau turned to the University of Minnesota Medical School.
There, she met Dr. Veronika Bachanova, who told her about a treatment that might work for her, and it involved harnessing her body’s natural immunity.
Instead of using drugs, the treatment involves mobilizing the body’s natural killer cells. And because NK cell therapy is more focused and doesn’t target healthy cells as well as cancer cells, it involves fewer side effects.
After a simple procedure to infuse the NK cells, Wanda began her treatment. And within a few weeks, she had achieved “excellent remission.” She’ll also receive a second dose to help push her into complete remission and qualify her for a stem cell transplant.
Thanks to NK cell therapy, Wanda has a second chance at being cancer free.
Wanda’s story is one of the reasons Bachanova believes NK cell therapy has the ability to transform treatment.
“I think it has the potential of transforming oncology in the next decade,” Bachanova said.
