LONDON, Jan 18: In a groundbreaking medical development, 11-year-old Arthur has become one of the first children to undergo a cutting-edge immunotherapy treatment at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, offering a promising alternative for pediatric patients battling blood cancer.

Arthur's family affectionately refers to the therapy as "a little bit of sunshine," as it proved effective without subjecting Arthur to the debilitating side effects often associated with traditional chemotherapy. Unlike conventional treatments confined to hospitals, this innovative therapy could be administered on the go, granting Arthur more time at home with his family and enabling him to pursue his passions.

Carrying the therapy with him in a backpack, fondly named his "blina backpack," Arthur found solace in blinatumomab, also known as blina, after chemotherapy failed to eliminate all of his cancer and left him frail. Although blina is already licensed for adult cancer treatment, medical experts are optimistic about its potential efficacy for children.

Blina, an immunotherapy, targets cancer cells to prompt the body's immune system to recognize and eliminate them, sparing healthy cells from harm— a marked contrast to conventional chemotherapy. Administered through a thin plastic tube, the treatment involves a liquid drug delivered via a battery-operated pump. The portable nature of the therapy allows patients to lead a relatively normal life during the extended treatment period.

Approximately 20 centers across the UK are employing blina off-label to treat children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The drug has shown promise in selectively targeting cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

The treatment involves a continuous infusion of the drug via a vein in the patient's arm, with the kit easily transportable in a backpack smaller than an A4 textbook. For Arthur, this meant enjoying activities like playing on swings in the local park during treatment sessions.

Unlike intensive chemotherapy, blina did not leave Arthur too weak to relish his days. The therapy includes pre-infusion medication to reduce the risk of adverse reactions, providing a gentler and kinder alternative to traditional chemotherapy.

While Arthur had to return to the hospital every four days for top-ups, he managed the majority of the treatment at home. His mother, Sandrine, expressed relief that blina was less intrusive than previous treatments and allowed Arthur a sense of control over his care.

By the end of April 2023, Arthur underwent the final operation to remove the tubing from his arm, marking the conclusion of a successful treatment course. Doctors believe that blina has the potential to replace a significant portion of chemotherapy, offering a gentler and more patient-friendly approach to treatment.

Chief investigator and consultant pediatric hematologist Prof Ajay Vora highlighted the significant difference between blinatumomab and traditional chemotherapies, describing the former as a "gentler, kinder treatment." Another targeted immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), has also entered the medical landscape but presents unique challenges such as higher costs and a lengthier, more complex treatment process.

Thanks to the innovative treatment, Arthur is now cancer-free, and his family received the joyful news on New Year's Day that blina had successfully eradicated cancer with no residual traces, prompting double celebrations for a new beginning and a cancer-free future.