Health Minister Tyler Shandro during Friday's announcement (Government of Alberta)

By Justin Goulet

New cancer treatment now available in Alberta

Apr 23, 2021 | 11:33 AM

CALGARY, AB – The month of April is Cancer Awareness Month.

In a fitting move, the Government of Alberta has announced that a new cancer treatment is now available in the province.

CAR T-cell therapy genetically reprograms a person’s immune cells to attack cancerous cells in their body.

It is used to treat adults and children with specific types of leukemia and lymphoma and is considered the standard of care for these types of cancers if they recur.

CAT T-cell treatment being made available in Alberta means residents battling cancer will not have to travel out of province to receive care.

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The first Albertans received an approved CAR T-cell therapy last month at Calgary’s Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

As well, the province is launching a clinical trial to develop a made-in-province CAR T-cell therapy at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.

Alberta’s Health Minister Tyler Shandro said, “Alberta’s government is excited to offer this innovative treatment in our province, providing Albertans who urgently need this care with timely and convenient access here at home.”

“I’m proud that Alberta has successfully launched its own CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial and is the third province to provide access to an approved version of this revolutionary cancer treatment.”

In order for the treatment to be provided closer to home, the province teamed with the Alberta Cancer Foundation to provide $15 million to Alberta Health Services (AHS).

CEO of the foundation, Wendy Beauchesne said, “this is an important milestone as CAR-T treatment becomes more accessible for Albertans facing cancer.”

“We are grateful for the commitment of our donors, Alberta Health and the expertise in Cancer Care Alberta as this new therapy is now being offered across the province for patients who need it most.”

The province noted that over the next three years, it’s expected that about 150 Albertans may be eligible to receive this type of cancer treatment.

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