An infant from Duncan, British Columbia, is receiving CAR-T therapy as part of a clinical trial at BC Children’s Hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia. The nine-month-old, Bennett Cleugh, was diagnosed after his parents took him to the ER for vomiting and loss of appetite in September 2023.
After two rounds of chemotherapy, Bennett's medical team is pursuing a clinical trial involving CAR-T therapy in collaboration with physicians in Seattle. This marks the first time BC Children’s Hospital has offered this treatment.
CAR-T Therapy Details
CAR-T therapy involves extracting a patient’s T cells, genetically modifying them to enhance their ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, and then re-infusing them back into the patient. According to a hospital spokesperson, this approach harnesses the patient's own immune system to combat the cancer.
"CAR-T therapy harnesses a patient’s own immune cells (T cells) to fight their cancer," the spokesperson stated. "To deliver this treatment, scientists must isolate T cells from a patient’s blood sample, genetically modify and activate the cells to improve their ability to recognize and attack cancer cells; they are then re-administered to the patient."
Family Support and Community Involvement
Bennett’s parents, Ashley Wager and Gilbert Cleugh, have temporarily relocated to Vancouver to be close to the hospital during Bennett’s treatment. The family is receiving support from their community, which has raised funds through a GoFundMe page to help cover lost wages, travel expenses, and potential home renovations. A bottle drive is also being organized to further assist the family.
Future Treatment Plans
Following the CAR-T therapy, Bennett is scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant in March. If all goes according to plan, his parents anticipate he will be able to return home in June or July.
