New Experimental Treatment At MTL Hospital May Be A Major Step Forward In Cancer Research

"This new innovative approach opens the door to developing treatments for other cancers."
Contributing Writer

Montreal hospitals are known for being incredibly innovative. And as proof, a new research program into cancer treatment has the potential to help millions of people around the world. 

The Hematology-Oncology and Cellular Therapy University Institute (HOCTUI), which can be found at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital announced on November 23 that it would be researching T cell immunotherapy, a treatment for metastatic synovial sarcoma.

This is a rare form of cancer that mainly impacts young adults and is incurable.

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We believe that this innovative therapy could represent an advancement in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Sylvain Lemieux, Chair and Director-General of Montreal Island East's CIUSSS

So rare, in fact, that it occurs in less than 1% of cancer patients.

Basically, the treatment would look at "reprogramming the immune cells of a patient in order to fight said cancer specifically," according to the release.

Cellular therapy in cancer patients is an unbelievable feat in fighting the disease over the last five decades.

"This new innovative approach opens the door to developing treatments for other cancers," Denis-Claude Roy, HOCTUI's Director, said.

This research may lead to an alternative to chemotherapy, which can be very toxic and painful.

Way to go, Montreal.

  • Gabi Sandler
  • Contributing Writer

    Gabi Sandler is a contributing writer for MTL Blog. She has a medial degree in Drama and Psychology from Queen's University and a certificate in Public Relations from Ryerson University. With a definite case of the travel bug mixed with the pride and comfort she feels when she's home in Canada, Gabi wants to share her passion for the world with... the world!

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