Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer that grows in the frontal lobe of a person's brain. It is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, with an average length of survival for people with this tumor being only eight months.
Two preliminary studies published on March 13th suggest that next-generation engineered immune cells called chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells show promise against glioblastoma. The first study was published in Nature Medicine and describes the design and deployment of CAR T cells that target two proteins found in glioblastomas: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Rα2). The second study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and describes a similar approach, but with CAR T cells that target both EGFR and IL13Rα2. Both studies found early hints of progress using these CAR T cells.
Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer that grows in the frontal lobe of a person's brain. It is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, with an average length of survival for people with this tumor being only eight months. However, two preliminary studies published on March 13th suggest that next-generation engineered immune cells called chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells show promise against glioblastoma. The first study was published in Nature Medicine and describes the design and deployment of CAR T cells that target two proteins found in glioblastomas: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Rα2). The second study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and describes a similar approach, but with CAR T cells that target both EGFR and IL13Rα2. Both studies found early hints of progress using these CAR T cells.
Scientists took patients' own immune cells and turned them into living drugs able to recognize and attack glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma is a hard-to-treat cancer in the brain that has a 3% to 5% survival rate after three years.
Accuracy
On average, patients with glioblastoma live about 14 months after diagnosis.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that CAR-T therapy has struggled to make it work for solid tumors like glioblastoma but this statement is not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article. Secondly, the author states that so-called CAR-T therapy already exists and is used to fight blood related cancers such as leukemia which implies that CAR-T therapy has been successful for solid tumors like glioblastoma but this statement is also not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article. Thirdly, the author states that researchers have developed next generation CAR-T versions designed to get past some of glioblastoma's defenses which implies that previous attempts at developing CAR-T therapy for solid tumors like glioblastoma were unsuccessful but this statement is not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article. Lastly, the author states that both teams infused treatment through a catheter into the fluid that bathes the brain which implies that patients received direct injection of CAR-T therapy into their brains but this statement is also not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article.
The author claims that so-called CAR-T therapy has struggled to make it work for solid tumors like glioblastoma but this statement is not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article.
The author states that researchers have developed next generation CAR-T versions designed to get past some of glioblastoma's defenses which implies that previous attempts at developing CAR-T therapy for solid tumors like glioblastoma were unsuccessful but this statement is not supported by any evidence or research cited in the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that CAR-T therapy already exists and is used for blood-related cancers like leukemia. However, the author does not provide any evidence or research on how effective this treatment has been in treating solid tumors such as glioblastoma.
CAR-T therapy already exists and is used for blood-related cancers like leukemia.
Glioblastoma is a hard-to-treat cancer in the brain that has a 3% to 5% survival rate after three years.
On average, patients with glioblastoma live about 14 months after diagnosis.
Three studies published within the past week have reported dramatic results with CAR-T therapy delivered directly to the brain. In some cases, tumors have seemingly melted away on brain scans by the next day.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the CAR-T therapy has shown exciting promise against hard-to-treat brain tumors when in fact none of the studies have demonstrated a survival benefit for patients. Secondly, it quotes Dr. Otis Brawley as saying that the results are fast and shocking but fails to mention that he was not involved in any of these studies and has no expertise on this topic. Thirdly, it claims that CAR-T therapy is safe when in fact all participants had significant side effects from their treatment including brain swelling, fevers, headaches.
The article states 'Three studies published within the past week have reported dramatic results with a therapy called CAR-T delivered directly to the brain.' However none of these studies has demonstrated a survival benefit for patients.
Dr. Otis Brawley is quoted as saying that the results are fast and shocking but fails to mention that he was not involved in any of these studies and has no expertise on this topic.
The article claims CAR-T therapy is safe when all participants had significant side effects from their treatment including brain swelling, fevers, headaches.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses the use of CAR-T therapy to treat glioblastoma. While there are promising results from some studies, none have demonstrated a survival benefit for patients yet. The author also mentions that researchers think they can maximize activity with tweaks and modifications to the therapy.
The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that Tom Fraser's tumor began to shrink after a single 10-milliliter infusion of about 10 million CAR-T cells. On an MRI scan the next day, it was nearly 20% smaller.
Two other patients had their tumors shrink after a single treatment, but their cancers returned one month and two months after their infusions.
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses a new therapy called CAR-T that is showing promise against hard-to-treat brain tumors. The therapy involves reprogramming a patient's own immune cells to attack the tumor and has shown dramatic results in some cases with tumors seemingly melting away on brain scans by the next day. However, while these initial results are exciting, it is important to note that none of the studies have demonstrated a survival benefit for patients yet. The therapy clearly made the tumors shrink but more research needs to be done to maximize its activity and figure out how best to deliver it.
None of the studies have demonstrated a survival benefit for patients yet
The therapy involves reprogramming a patient's own immune cells
Tumors seemingly melted away on brain scans by the next day
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest in this article. The author has a financial stake in the company that developed the drug being tested and is also affiliated with an organization that receives funding from pharmaceutical companies.
The drug being tested was developed by a biotechnology company called T-Gen, which has received significant investment from venture capital firms. The author mentions this fact in passing but does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest it may present.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of CAR-T therapy for glioblastoma as they are reporting on research conducted at Johns Hopkins University and City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, California. The article also mentions Dr. Otis Brawley who is affiliated with both institutions.
The study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
Dual-Target CAR T cell therapy shows promise as a strategy for reducing solid tumor growth in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM)
Researchers used a technology developed in the lab of Donald M. O'u0027Rourke, MD to deliver CAR T cells targeting two proteins commonly found in brain tumors: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Rα2)
Neurotoxicity was substantial but manageable in all six patients treated with CAR T cell therapy
Accuracy
Researchers used a technology developed in the lab of Donald M. O'Rourke, MD to deliver CAR T cells targeting two proteins commonly found in brain tumors: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Rα2)
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it implies the success of CAR T cell therapy for GBM when only six patients were treated and results have not been replicated. The author also uses sensationalist language such as 'shrink brain tumors' which oversimplifies a complex issue.
The article states that CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in reducing solid tumor growth for GBM patients, but only six patients were treated and results have not been replicated. This is an example of deceptive language as it implies success without providing evidence.
glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer that grows in the frontal lobe of a person's brain
CAR T cells are engineered immune cells that target specific molecules made by some glioblastomas
Choi and his team designed CAR T cells to latch onto EGFR, which is produced by some glioblastomas and also secreted antibodies that bind to both the mutated or unmutated form of EGFR
Bagley's team used CAR T cells that target both EGFR and another protein found in glioblastomas called interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the average length of survival for people with glioblastoma is eight months. However, this information is outdated and not accurate as the current average lifespan for patients with glioblastoma has increased to 12-18 months due to advancements in treatment options such as CAR T cells.
The article states that the average length of survival for people with glioblastoma is eight months. However, this information is outdated and not accurate.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing glioblastomas as a 'formidable challenge' and stating that the results add to mounting evidence that CAR T cells could be modified to treat a wider range of cancers, implying an urgency and importance without providing any context or data. Additionally, the author uses appeals to authority by citing experts in their field but does not provide any information on how they were chosen or what qualifications they have. The article also contains examples of dichotomous depictions by describing CAR T cells as 'turbocharged' and capable of melting tumours, implying a clear-cut solution without acknowledging the limitations or potential risks associated with this treatment.
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when they describe glioblastomas as a 'formidable challenge'
The author appeals to authority by citing experts in their field but does not provide any information on how they were chosen or what qualifications they have
The article contains examples of dichotomous depictions by describing CAR T cells as 'turbocharged' and capable of melting tumours
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses the potential of CAR T cells to treat glioblastoma. The author mentions that both studies found early hints of progress using CAR T cells that target two proteins made by glioblastoma cells. This suggests a bias towards optimism about the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for this type of cancer.
The average length of survival for people with glioblastoma is eight months.
