Paulo Peregrino was taken in serious condition from Niterói to São Paulo for an innovative treatment using his own modified defense cells
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After 13 years of fighting lymphoma, publicist Paulo Peregrino, 61, celebrates complete remission of the disease thanks to a revolutionary treatment using cell therapy. He, who four months ago left his hometown (Niterói-RJ) in mobile intensive care towards his last card in São Paulo, does not hide the joy of returning –in grand style– to his home.
“I returned home after months of quarrels, I returned walking and carrying my suitcases. Coming home was a great joy, especially after all that my family and I had faced together”, celebrates Paulo, who was about to receive palliative care when, between March and April, the 14th patient treated with the therapy known as CAR-T Cell was considered.
The technique fights the disease with the patient’s defense cells modified in the laboratory and is part of a study using funds from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The treatment has already been successful against three types of cancer: B lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Paulo was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. At that time, the organ was removed and the disease was treated. In 2018, however, several lymphomas began to appear throughout the body. He underwent several treatments, but none with satisfactory results. He has had chemotherapy and even an autologous transplant—when a patient’s hematopoietic stem cells are removed before high-dose chemo is given and re-infused after treatment.
Paulo said his condition was serious and that he felt a lot of pain in his body when he started being followed at the Hospital das Clínicas of the USP Faculty of Medicine by hematologist Vanderson Rocha, professor of cell therapy at the university and national coordinator of cell therapy at Rede D’ Or.
“Now, more than ever, the feeling I have is an infinite gratitude to God and to all those who were and are part of this healing journey, which still continues,” said the publicist. “After so much struggle, the next episode of my life will be one of recovery,” he added.
CAR-T cell at SUS
Brazilian doctors involved in the SUS have already treated 14 patients with CAR-T therapy. Of this sample, all treated individuals showed remission of at least 60% of their tumors, in a process that takes an average of one to two months.
If the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approves the proposed clinical trial, the innovative cancer treatment will be made available to a further 75 patients starting in August.
The entire procedure requires an investment of BRL 2.5 million, but it is already estimated that the total cost can be reduced to around BRL 200,000 for public health.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
