A pioneering cancer treatment developed in Montreal is giving new hope to patients with blood cancers, though it is still not available in Canada.
The therapy, known as UM171 cell treatment, was first created in 2014 at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at Université de Montréal. It uses stem cells from donated umbilical cords, multiplied in a lab with the help of the UM171 molecule. After patients undergo chemotherapy to eliminate cancer cells, the lab-grown stem cells are infused into the body, similar to a blood transfusion. Within about two weeks, the therapy helps rebuild the patient’s entire blood and immune system.
One of its early success stories is François Lucas Alzate, who was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2014. When his cancer returned the following year and no bone marrow donor was available, doctors suggested he try the experimental UM171 treatment. Today, Alzate is cancer-free. “I am cancer free. The treatment worked well,” he said, crediting the therapy with saving his life.
To date, UM171 has been used to treat about 120 patients worldwide. The European Commission recently fast-tracked approval for the therapy, calling it a major advancement. In Canada, however, researchers caution that approval remains several years away due to the rigorous testing and regulatory process. “This is more like five years from today,” said hematologist and principal investigator Guy Sauvageau.
For lead chemist Anne Marinier, the therapy represents a turning point in cancer care. “It saves lives, so I think it’s a breakthrough,” she said. While Canadian patients may need to wait before it becomes widely accessible, early results show that UM171 could be a game-changer for those battling leukemia and other blood cancers.