Killing cancer with a breakthrough therapy | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

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Using the body's immune system to fight cancer, specifically glioblastoma, has shown promise in revolutionizing cancer treatment, including using the polio virus in experimental therapies that have led to remarkable results and potential cures in patients. Despite challenges and tragic outcomes, the polio virus treatment at Duke University displays potential in transforming cancer treatment through immunotherapy, with the FDA acknowledging its capabilities and the therapy potentially offering long-term benefits for patients.

Insights

  • The use of the body's immune system to fight cancer, specifically through the polio virus treatment, has shown promising results in patients like Stephanie Lipscomb, leading to tumor shrinkage and even disappearance, challenging traditional cancer treatment methods.
  • The polio virus therapy at Duke University, despite facing setbacks like patient deaths and tumor regrowth, has demonstrated the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment through immunotherapy, with the FDA acknowledging its efficacy and the possibility of granting breakthrough status, offering hope to numerous glioblastoma patients.

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Recent questions

  • What is the traditional approach to cancer treatment?

    Radiation and chemotherapy offer limited extensions of life.

  • How does the polio virus therapy work against cancer?

    The modified polio virus triggers the immune system to attack the tumor.

  • What are the outcomes of the polio virus treatment in glioblastoma patients?

    Patients like Stephanie Lipscomb experienced tumor shrinkage and potential cures.

  • How did the FDA respond to the potential of immunotherapy in cancer treatment?

    The FDA acknowledged the potential of immunotherapy in extending patient lives.

  • What is the significance of Duke University's polio therapy trial in cancer treatment?

    The polio therapy trial at Duke University shows promise in revolutionizing cancer treatment through immunotherapy.

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Summary

00:00

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Polio Virus

  • The long history of cancer treatment has not yielded significant victories, with radiation and chemotherapy offering limited extensions of life.
  • A groundbreaking discovery in the 21st century involves using the body's immune system to combat cancer, particularly glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer.
  • At Duke University, an experimental therapy involves infecting tumors with polio virus, a method considered radical but potentially effective.
  • Nancy Justice, diagnosed with glioblastoma, undergoes the polio virus treatment as a last resort after traditional treatments failed.
  • The intricate procedure involves inserting the virus into the tumor with precision to avoid harm to the patient's brain.
  • The modified polio virus, engineered to target cancer cells, triggers the immune system to attack the tumor.
  • Stephanie Lipscomb, another patient in the trial, experiences a remarkable response to the treatment, with her tumor shrinking and eventually disappearing.
  • The success of the polio virus treatment in glioblastoma patients like Stephanie defies conventional expectations, leading to potential cures.
  • The trial expands to include more patients like Donna Clegg, with varying responses to the treatment's potency, highlighting the importance of finding the optimal dose.
  • Despite encountering challenges and tragic outcomes, the polio virus therapy at Duke University shows promise in revolutionizing cancer treatment through immunotherapy.

17:22

"Polio Treatment Shows Promise in Cancer"

  • Donna Clegg dropped out of a polio trial due to her advanced disease state, leading to her death three weeks later.
  • Dr. Anik Desjardins reduced Nancy Justice's polio infusion potency by 85% to prevent a severe immune response.
  • Nancy's tumor doubled in size post-infusion, leading to symptoms resembling Donna Clegg's, but avastin treatment reduced swelling and improved symptoms.
  • Nancy's MRI four and a half months post-infusion showed significant tumor shrinkage and a gaping hole in the tumor.
  • 22 patients were part of the polio trial, with 11 deaths and 11 showing improvement, including four in remission past six months.
  • Dr. Daryl Bigner at Duke University witnessed unprecedented results in patients Fritz Anderson and Stephanie Lipscomb, possibly indicating remission.
  • Matthias Gromeier's polio virus therapy has shown promise in various cancers in laboratory tests.
  • Dr. Peter Marks from the FDA acknowledges the potential of immunotherapy in treating cancer, with 10 approved drugs extending patient lives significantly.
  • The FDA may grant Duke breakthrough status for the polio treatment, potentially aiding hundreds of glioblastoma patients.
  • Stephanie Lipscomb's successful polio treatment showcased the therapy's ability to activate the immune system against cancer cells, leading to tumor shrinkage.

35:15

Polio Therapy Trial Shows Cancer Treatment Promise

  • MRI in August 2014 showed no cancer in the picture, patient is cancer-free except for a hole from an early surgery.
  • Phase one study unexpectedly led to curing patients, contrary to expectations of just determining the right dose.
  • Retired cardiologist, Dr. Fritz Anderson, became the second person in the polio trial and saw his tumor disappear three years ago.
  • Patients in the trial received increasing doses to find the highest safe dose, following the philosophy that more is better.
  • Social worker Donna Clegg received a potent polio infusion but suffered a powerful immune response, leading to her death in March 2015.
  • Doctors reduced the potency of Nancy Justice's dose after her tumor doubled in size due to inflammation, but it appeared weaker in scans.
  • Nancy's tumor started shrinking after a single dose of chemotherapy following a new discovery, leading to hope and progress.
  • Nancy's tumor regrew, infiltrating parts of her brain, leading to her passing away in April 2016 after nine more months than expected.
  • Breakthrough status was granted for the polio therapy trial after patients showed extended survival and some had no sign of cancer after three years.
  • Duke University's polio therapy may revolutionize cancer treatment, showing promise in various cancers in laboratory tests, potentially leading to long-term immune memory against cancer.

53:37

"Nursing Career in Pediatric Oncology"

  • Individual expresses desire to pursue nursing career in pediatric oncology due to personal experience surviving stage four brain cancer at age 20
  • Believes working with children with cancer is purposeful and not doing so would be a waste of being cancer-free
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