Cancers of the blood -- like lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma--make up about one-tenth of all cancers. The prognosis for patients with blood cancers is being revolutionized by new treatments that harness a patient’s own white-blood cells and turn them into cancer zappers. It’s called CAR T-cell therapy; the FDA approved it several years ago and it's now more available to patients with aggressive lymphoma. For about half the patients who get it, this new immunotherapy is a cure. 

We speak with University of Maryland oncology professor Dr. Aaron Rapoport, who directs the transplant and cellular therapy program at the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. And with nurse Kathy Ruehle, senior coordinator and manager of the program.

The, Sonia Su is cancer-free after three bouts of lymphoma. She shares her story and talks about Kits to Heart, the nonprofit she founded. 

Cancers of the blood -- like lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma--make up about one-tenth of all cancers. The prognosis for patients with blood cancers is being revolutionized by new treatments that harness a patient’s own white-blood cells and turn them into cancer zappers. It’s called CAR T-cell therapy; the FDA approved it several years ago and it's now more available to patients with aggressive lymphoma. For about half the patients who get it, this new immunotherapy is a cure. 
We speak with University of Maryland oncology professor Dr. Aaron Rapoport, who directs the transplant and cellular therapy program at the <a href="https://www.umms.org/umgccc">Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center</a>. And with nurse Kathy Ruehle, senior coordinator and manager of the program.
The, Sonia Su is cancer-free after three bouts of lymphoma. She shares her story and talks about <a href="https://kitstoheart.org/">Kits to Heart</a>, the nonprofit she founded.

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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