Closed captioning of: Targeting tumors with fewer side-effects
>>>
we've got some good news to report tonight about fighting
cancer
. researchers found a new class of drugs that kill the
cancer
without ruining the patient's
quality of life
. chief science correspond nt robert bizell has the story of a woman with advanced
breast cancer
who now has a new lease on life.
>> reporter:
with two young kids always on the move, 47-year-old fern seidovitz is happy to have her energy and life back. far different picture from
2009
when her stage four
breast cancer
had spread to her body including her bones. her doctors gave her herceptin, that needs to be combined with standard chemotherapy drugs that have severe
side effects
, including
hair loss
.
>>
i felt nauseous, absolutely sick.
>> reporter:
the combination worked for a year but the
cancer
returned and when it did, doctors had a new experimental option called t-dm1. they covered the herceptin ant body with a powerful toxin. it delivers the poison directly, sparing the healthy cells and eliminating the need for additional thee mow therapy.
>>
the fact that we have been successful in proving that you can actually get chemotherapy straight to the
cancer cells
by using this
magic bullet
is really a dream that's being realized at this meeting.
>>
whoa, give me five!
>> reporter:
when seidovitz got the new drug, not only did her
cancer
go into remission, the treatment carried new
side effects
.
>>
i've not lost my hair or eyebrows, i don't feel sick, my insides don't feel raw. my fingernails are not turning black and i'm not losing my fingernails.
>> reporter:
in a major
cancer
conference starting today in chicago design 'tis also present many activated ant bodies. fern is thrilled with the news.
>>
it's amazing if we have this treatment for every type of
cancer
.
>> reporter:
many scientists believe there will be such therapies for many cancers opening a new year in
cancer
treatment that could preserve the
quality of life
for
cancer
patients.
robert bazell
, nbc news, chicago.
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