A pensioner has become the first patient in Wales to undergo a ground-breaking gene treatment for blood cancer.
CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy, carried out at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff, involves changing cells in the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
The success of the therapy has been described as a "significant day for precision medicine in Wales".
John Davies, 71, from Blackwood , was diagnosed with lymphoma five years ago following a routine check-up and was chosen as the first patient to have the treatment.
The retired civil servant, who has had other previous unsuccessful treatment for his lymphoma, underwent a series of stringent tests to ensure his suitability for this treatment.
Blood samples were collected from Mr Davies for six hours. His healthy T-cells were then separated and transported in a special cooling box to Amsterdam where his they will be stored and transported to California for modification.
The engineered cells will then be transported back to Amsterdam and then to UHW to be administered to the patient in a month’s time.
Mr Davies said: "After previously failed treatments, I feel lucky to have been offered this opportunity. I feel like a pioneer and if sharing my story can help other people, then I am happy to do it."
CAR-T therapy is described as a "complex yet personalised" immunotherapy based on the individual patient.
The process involves taking healthy T-cells from the patient and engineering them to recognise cancer cells.
They are then reintroduced intravenously into the patient to fight off cancer and restore the normal function of their own immune system.
Dr Keith Wilson, lead clinician and consultant haematologist at UHW said: "This is a significant day for precision medicine in Wales. It has taken 18 months of hard work from an incredible team of researchers, clinicians, support staff and partners to make today even possible.
"About 50% of patients will respond positively to CAR-T treatment so the next stage after the engineered cells are reintroduced into the patient will be to monitor their progress closely.
"With each treatment created specifically for the individual patient, it’s truly a ground-breaking treatment at the forefront of personalised medicine. This is precision medicine at its best."
The treatment was made possible thanks to funding from WHSCC (Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee) through the New Treatment Fund set up by the Welsh Government in 2017.
The aim of the fund is to deliver advanced treatments, such as cell and gene therapies, for patients with chronic and terminal conditions that are resistant to current treatment and medications.
Staff at Velindre University NHS Trust, the Welsh Blood Service, WHSCC and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's haematology team were all involved in the development.
