Discover your next big idea for life sciences at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Experience a breakthrough in life sciences packaging—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries, all in one place this September

New ‘Living Drug’ Gives Terminal Cancer Patients Hope

A new therapy called CAR-T is custom-tailored for patients and uses their own cells to fight terminal blood cancer.

CAR-T / Image: Gilead
CAR-T / Image: Gilead

Terminal cancer of the blood is a rare occurrence that is typically treated with chemotherapy, a long and unpleasant process. A recent BBC News article reported on a new treatment that is giving these terminal patients, of which there are roughly 200 a year, new hope for survival. The therapy is called CAR-T, and it’s a “living drug” that’s custom-made for each patient and uses their own cells.

Physicians remove T-cells from the patient’s blood, freeze them in liquid nitrogen, and send them to laboratories. There, the cells are genetically reprogrammed into “chimeric antigen receptor T-cells” (CAR-T cells) that destroy cancer, rather than bacteria and viruses. The manufacturing process produces millions of the modified cells and takes about a month. Long-term data on effectiveness isn’t available since the strategy is still new, but early results look promising.

List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Medical Device Innovations Report
Cutting-edge packaging technologies are transforming the medical device sector in PMMI’s “Innovation in Medical Device” report, featuring advanced materials, smart solutions, and evolving regulations. Editors share insights from nearly 300 PACK EXPO booth visits—each product deemed new and truly innovative—alongside video demonstrations of the equipment and materials on display.
Learn More
Medical Device Innovations Report