New Cancer Cure: World’s First Child Treated with Immunotherapy Is Cancer-free 10 Years Later

Emily Whitehead, the first child in the world to receive CAR T-cell immunotherapy, celebrates 10 years cancer free. www.chop.edu/immunotherapy-10-...
In 2012, Tom and Kari Whitehead came to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) looking for a miracle for their 6-year-old daughter, who was battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The standard treatment that works for most children with ALL - the most common form of childhood cancer - did not work for Emily. She relapsed twice, and her disease was so out of control that she was ineligible for a bone marrow transplant to treat it. Their local medical team advised the Whiteheads that it was time to consider hospice care.
Tom and Kari were aware that Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD, a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) pediatric oncologist and a pioneer in the field of cellular immunotherapy, had been working in close collaboration with researchers Drs. Carl June, Bruce Levine and David Porter at the University of Pennsylvania on a completely new way to treat cancer. Called CAR T-cell therapy, the revolutionary approach harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system by reengineering their T cells so they can find and attack cancer cells.
Dr. Grupp was about to open the first phase 1 trial for CAR T-cell therapy in pediatric patients with ALL, based on early success the Penn researchers had already seen in two adult patients with a different type of cancer.
Emily became the first patient to enroll in the trial, making her the first pediatric patient ever to receive the treatment. Ten years later, with Emily now 17 and in possession of a driver’s license, it is clear the Whiteheads found their miracle. Since receiving the treatment, Emily has remained cancer free. The therapy she received is now an approved drug, and thousands of children around the world have received it.
Emily's path has helped define the field of CAR T immunotherapy.
After she received the CAR T cells, Emily’s immune system went into overdrive, causing her to become critically ill. She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at CHOP. Dr. Grupp and a team of scientists determined that the level of a certain protein had become very elevated as a result of the T cells growing in her body. This same protein is involved in rheumatoid arthritis, and there is a drug for that disease that turns off production of that protein, so the team decided to administer the drug to Emily. The results were dramatic: Her condition improved faster than anyone could have hoped for. On May 2, her 7th birthday, Emily woke up.
This approach to treating the post-infusion illness, now known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), is now used worldwide for children and adults treated with CAR T cells and other immunotherapies. “Through Emily, we learned how to control CRS when it gets serious in these patients, and that information has been disseminated throughout the world and used by all physicians who treat patients with CAR T-cell therapy,” Dr. Grupp says. The re-engineered T cells did exactly what they were intended to do: they eradicated the cancer and put her into remission “What we learned from Emily changed everything.”

[@plasmaa76]

These doctors should be celebrated in our society instead of drug addicted actors or steroid pumping athletes. These doctors and nurses spend thier whole lives studying and working to save ours and our children's lives.

[@masterpee2328]

We the researchers are the ones doing the job, but doctors always get the credit. We discover drugs, pharmacists develop drugs, medical doctors use these drugs to treat patients. I think we researchers deserve more than we are getting.

[@meutonmichaelsy1315]

Just sad buddy, just sad.

[@Zellaaaaaaaaaaa]

No.. they're just doctors and aren't nearly as necessary is entertainers

[@134niel]

It's actually the scientists who spend their lives looking for new systems like this, doctors just apply it. Unfortunately often forgotten, they should be celebrated just as much (if not more) for their dedication to making this world better.

[@nerdzy8454]

I had a class at college last semester about Cancer and HIV/AIDS. We went over Emily's story in detail while discussing CAR T-Cell therapy. I'm so glad that this has come out right after the end of that to give some closure. It's such a heartwarming story, and I'm so glad to see that she's still doing well!

[@isaiaheggebrecht1930]

It makes me proud to see the younger generations having a more efficient way to fight cancer. 2yo me was squaring up to fight cancer and I made it out alive with a miracle and great doctors. Stay strong Emily.

[@Anna-lb4po]

My mom had stage 4 Cancer and immunotherapy was her last option. Unfortunately it did nothing for her and she passed. maybe it depends on the type of cancer.. Immunotherapy seems to work miracles for a lot of people. But the doctors said she had a very rare and aggressive cancer, and they didn't know how to treat it. Every time they tried to treat it or surgically remove it, it would come back worse. She fought for 5 years.

[@debbiemartin6619]

I'll be starting immunotherapy in a week and a half. My heart goes out to the children and their families who are affected by cancer.

[@gamerwhiz6847]

Beautiful she got cured and was able to grow up.

[@biel08sant]

True

[@ladybugskywalker]

I lost someone so important to me, the core of my life, to stage 4 cancer recently, because he was super healthy but genetics is a doodoobag so we only got to know when it's too late and in a blink of an eye he's gone when I needed him the most in my life. Everything I do, I achieved after that meant less than before and I still feel the immense fatigue. Life is hard now and it feels like I'm hanging by a cliff to maintain it. I'm glad treating cancer is constantly moving forward (eventhough it's not as fast as we should be going) because I don't want other ppl to go through this and sad at the same time to see other ppl survived but we were too late. I hope I get to see proper cure for cancer in my lifetime so when I die I know not as many will ever have to go through this again.

[@madhurysangar8875]

fighting!!! maybe one day that ray of sunshine will also enter your life :)❣

[@annomaly751]

Sorry for your recent loss 😢 you’re going to make it!! You’re not hanging off a cliff you’re rock climbing up a mountain and when you get to the top it will Be the most glorious view 🙌

[@sott4840]

I also lost someone improtant to me due to cancer a few years ago. It was very sudden we realised too late and they were gone in a blink of an eye. At least both of our people didnt have to suffer the pain of chemo and everything along the way. It gets better day by day and im sure that person is so proud of where u r right now. Take care x

[@lolitaalmostgrown]

FYI, only 15% of cancers are genetic. The rest are caused by environmental mutations.

[@flipflop9245]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I also lost someone important to me, not to cancer but to another genetic disease. I know it is hard to move on and think positively but it's important that we do. Everything they didn't have time to experience, we have to experience. We need to live a little extra, for them. Even if they aren't with us, we carry the memories of them and we need to honor that

[@Stylomagic]

The "cancer free" pictures hits me so hard, I started crying out of nowhere. Seeing this little girl healthy and smiling year after year and become this beautiful young woman! That few seconds are so powerful!

[@AbhaySingh-ow9em]

this video made me realise as a doctor it is my duty to exhaust every last option and never give up on a patient till the last moment, knowing they will die.

[@michaelbradley6994]

I used Emily's story in my course in pathophysiology when her treatment had been only recently performed, and as an example of what certainly must be the future of cancer (and perhaps other) treatments. To see this follow-up (and to now use it for future classes) is incredibly moving and encouraging. There is hope, and this young lady, her providers, and her family embody it.

[@Maybe.Marley]

Scientists, they are just unbelievable, this is amazing, and so is Emily, I wish her a long and healthy life!

[@hart_t5014]

so we had this since 2012 and no one talked about it?

[@bobbiemason7912]

My best friend died of her cancer recently, it was a really long battle, she had it all her life. Now everything’s really hard because there is this big hole and none of us know how to deal with the emptiness.

[@konstantinanthonyromanov6952]

Absolutely amazing. We can finally CURE cancer. Happy Birthday Emily and every single other kid that CHOP has helped keep around. 💝

[@Justme-jf9dn]

If this happened 10 years ago then why are so many kids still dying after chemotherapy

[@UnbrokenWillll]

Why doesn’t this video have millions of views??? This is amazing

[@Juxtaposedjoker]

CHOP is amazing. I had a different health issue but they saved my life in 1989. I still remember doing my dance routine for the nurses. This potential cure is amazing and I'm not surprised it is CHOP at the forefront of the treatment.

[@ELECTRICMOTOCROSSMACHINE]

Nothing like hope.

[@hl1377]

My dad had a rare case of adult ALL at age 58. He was on the adult cancer ward, everyone else with ALL was in the pediatric unit. His treatment team asked if he would do additional testing and give additional samples for research and despite his own suffering he went through extra bone marrow taps and all sorts of things to contribute to research with the hope that it would someday help kids. Unfortunately my dad lost his battle with ALL after a year of aggressive chemo. I'm on the donor registry in his honor, but I hope for a real cure for these kids. Thank you for this hope!

[@Dankpuffin]

I want to live in a world where teachers, scientists, doctors, parents are revered and compensated more than entertainers and athletes.

[@UnknownUser_10]

This therapy saved my grandfathers life! So thankful of the people who try to find new solutions for helping people with cancer!

[@marianneyag4106]

Thank you to all the scientist and Doctors who dedicated their time, knowledge, their skills to find a cure for cancer. That is the best news. I hope this cure will be available worldwide!!!! Congratulations to those who were treated and are living a normal and healthy life. I'm so happy! ❤💪🙏

[@oceanstaiga5928]

A friend of mine relapsed with ALL and received this therapy last year, I’m so happy this is a treatment option now because everything else had not worked for my friend but so far it’s looking good with the new therapy!!

[@PaulaakaPaben]

My hubby's cousin was diagnosed with the same Cancer when she was 3! She was one of the first children to be given Chemo! There was a news Article about her! She was in remission for the second time and lasted many years and had one daughter! In her late 30's early 40"s it returned! She fought it again and finally said enough! She passed on at age 45,but got her wish of living until her Daughter Graduated!

[@ihadastrokereadingthis]

this was so heartwarming, they said she had a few weeks, she had a whole lifetime left. 10 years cancer free, this must’ve been a miracle to her parents.

[@Jim-fe2xz]

This is so encouraging! So much of "medicine" in America is "cookbook style" medicine - follow steps 1 through whatever & if that doesn't work "hospice". So glad they said "no" to the status quo and gave their beautiful daughter the best chance they could! Thank you Children's Hospital of Phildelphia for your fine work!

[@kathleensmith8365]

What a beautiful story! I wish Emily a long and joyful life. Many years ago I did my Pediatric affiliation at the old CHOP. I loved CHOP then and still think it is the best hospital I have experienced. It truly is all about excellence and the sacred trust of caring for sick children. Emily's parents chose well.

[@robertfulton4415]

Please support this extraordinary institution and it’s remarkable and dedicated doctors

[@newt702]

Immunotherapy saved my grandmother's life recently. Really interesting to hear about the early stages, so grateful for this amazing research.

[@rikis7086]

Just incredible. Thank you for everything you do. And Emily...you are amazing (and so is your family!) ❤

[@samelis6546]

Omg this is like the happy ending in a great movie. So happy for her. I hope more people will get to be treated as such.

[@Saadjie99]

I wish I could thank Mr Grupp and the rest of medical profesionals that dedicate their time and effort to help sick people. My family lost a key member to cancer, we share the heartache, the sadness and the joy of knowing that the ones we lost are now in a better place without suffering. This brings back very sad memories but also makes me happy knowing that they (medical professionals) are out there trying their best. My thoughts go out to everyone who is dealing with cancer or who dealt with it and their families, even though we don't know each other, know that you're not alone. Love from SA to you all 🙂

[@Idc.350]

This is the stuff the news doesn’t want you to know. Watching the girl grow up made me tear up, it makes me think about the young kids who lost the fight because of cancer and didn’t get to even grow up into a beautiful young adult. Props to the doctors for doing everything they could we need more like this in the field!

[@AliAli-lh5ku]

It's really great to know that some people survive it. But They will never mention how expensive it is, I reach that point where I can't pay for my treatment

[@TOWolf29]

When you feel happy and heartbreaking at the same time! Thank you for all ppl whom are helping those angles to back to normal life ❤

[@debrafirestone861]

Poor little girl I feel so bad when I see this I could never work at a hospital like that’s My emotions would take over

[@celestebarreda3380]

Great news! A big blessing to those affected by cancer and the whole world. Blessings to those who worked to make this a reality. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@kristasaari255]

Heroes! I’m always blown away and inspired by the people who study these things and whose work SAVES LIVES.

[@SA-cb1fb]

Wow God Bless all the people involved in this

[@LillianGreenHiLilly]

So happy for Emily and her parents.

[@A.yackub]

This is amazing God bless you all

[@Unknown-Lux]

Proud of you Emily! You’ve been patient zero to pave the future to thousands

[@lestaridapurgk8832]

children need attention and affection from loving people, this video is very good to watch

[@JC-sm4mp]

Beautiful. I'm so glad she grew into such a healthy young girl.

[@Failbot9000]

This is the only place named chop that anyone should be hearing about. Absolutely amazing!

[@sandip5954]

She make a positive vibes to the surrounding May god bless her 🤍

[@poppenkastmetjufgaby510]

I had not heard of immunotherapy before and I'm not sure how it works but I'm glad she's cancer free now. It was hard to watch her being so sick in the hospital. I can't even begin to imagine how her parents felt. But I'm so glad that they didn't give up and kept trying to help their daughter.

[@Manlkiwaa]

May God always guide the Good Doctor for giving this girl her life back. There is hope for so many more children now.

[@anthonygebala1198]

Amazing work by those doctors and nurses

[@luci4087]

kudos to the doctors and researchers

[@OGSarah]

Amazing. I pray she is cancer free for the rest of her life ❤️

[@Antandthegrasshopper]

Beautiful young Lady! God bless her!

[@safrafath]

This is truly amazing 🥺❤️

[@mahadihassan1838]

Lots of love ❤️ for the patient, her parents and the heathcare team.

[@giafamulare2199]

She’s so beautiful & she seems so sweet & I’m so proud of her omg

[@2rhythms]

this is great. but how is this going to be available and affordable to those who needs it?

[@gladJonas]

That's amazing

[@dsanders401]

Amen, I needed this video. 🙏 What a beautiful story.

[@bclarky12]

such a great story! I bet she grows up to be a doctor, nurse, scientist or some health care provider. What an amazing, amazing treatment and life. Even just by living her life, she changed the world!

[@h.5943]

Doctors prove that "the real happiness is giving happiness to the others"💛. One day I'll be a doctor too and help others to see the beauty of this blessings of mother nature...❤

[@paulcooper6953]

This was an incredible thing to watch. God bless you! x

[@rubikgirl3185]

oh.. this was sooo inspiring... you motivate me so so much! thank you Emily ❤

[@michaeltoye6148]

Thats amazing, so glad to see she recovered

[@ki2348]

This is so amazing, I hope she's doing well

[@milliedragon4418]

I'm in tears 😭 in a good way. This an amazing story. My heart goes out for them.

[@ianw.7897]

Im so glad she’s doing okay!!

[@CellRus]

Let's not forget that to get to this point is the accumulation of decades of research, basic and fundamental biology, cancer biology, cell biology. The doctors did amazingly but they are the one who deliver, and more often not the ones who actually invent or study the mechanisms behind to actually lead to these treatments. It's the scientists, biologists who should also get the credits here, but sadly society often only focuses on what's directly in front of them and forget those who work tirelessly behind the scene.

[@stephmartin1148]

This makes my heart SO HAPPY!!! 💓

[@mohd3929]

I’m so happy she made it 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻good job good job 👏🏻

[@debrafirestone861]

So wonderful Hope she has a wonderful life 🥰❤️

[@lala-4458]

she looks so much like her mom

[@karatekai6384]

Marvellous I can only imagine what her parents felt like 👍 ground breaking work from her team amazing grace 🥰🙏🥰

[@user-ro5nn3fj1c]

I’m so happy for her 🥰 I hope she will have a happy and healthy life ☺️ Hope more days will come to her!

[@user-vl8rs4ne3f]

OH MY GOD I CANNOT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE THIS MADE ME EMOTIONAL 😭

[@quantumfineartsandfossils2152]

Of course Emily in an artist, like Remidios Varos she created a universe that sustained her with a loving family to fight a modern fight & survive & push through & to now be a living angel. I came very close to getting full blown cancer & like so many I am a fighter, I had pre-cancer at 27 & I was wasting away I got screened & had a golf ball pre-cancer removed, ever since it has been a long journey of screening & staying alive & friendships that matter. "Never give up always keep believing in yourself." - Emily, you really have to. Thank god for her family!!! Fighting disease with no family to support you is a trek of despair, this family sets an example of how to love 7 support your child.

[@watersprint1668]

THAAANK YOUUU so much.... Amazing Doctors and scientists who have worked SO HARD for this!!!

[@alaniphillips1878]

This is absolutely amazing news!

[@alisoncompston6476]

Amazing these doctors are true hero’s

[@josephinecudjoe9068]

This is beautiful.

[@maj-brittholmen9245]

This is amazing I hope this will work and help everyone🥺🥰

[@FIG16]

Such a great story of never lose HOPE ❤️❤️❤️

[@shaatiusmani6211]

She is an absolute beauty!!

[@helanasany8186]

Feeling happy cant see their pain 💔

[@cosmor7521]

CHOP is honestly incredible. Emily is incredible

[@kathybae1746]

She is just one of the lucky ones.

[@evaniceface]

I’m praying this brings us closer to more cures for other kinds of cancers.

[@kamakshisharma786]

God bless

[@Red.Aka-San]

Always believe the hope for these kids and people that are going through a rough time but will pass just by that treatment.

[@borderline_sunshine]

Shes so beautiful! I'm glad shes been cancer free for a decade now :)

[@nitinthakur6569]

She looks so pretty and happy. Wishing her the best!

[@debrafirestone861]

Happy Birthday 🎉

[@demilandry7122]

God bless you all

[@CeruleanPandas]

so glad she made it 😭

[@ExpatNatt]

So nice to see news stories that are positive like this. Thank you for sharing this story 💕

[@demilandry7122]

God bless u all

[@jiminslefttoenail]

So happy! 🫶 Great work doctors 🤧❤️

[@monicagaitor6751]

She's absolutely beautiful. To God be all glory, working through those lovely doctors to heal her. Her parents must be so thankful to still have her.🌹

[@Zetsumei88]

Let's all say it together. "Science, fuck yeah!"

[@mariansinger9003]

Beautiful.

[@calliecooper99]

God bless 🙏🏻❤️