A Food and Drug Administration panel on Wednesday unanimously recommended the federal agency approve a treatment that genetically alters a patient’s cells to fight leukemia. It’s likely the FDA will accept their recommendation, marking a significant milestone researchers and drug companies have been striving toward for decades. This treatment is the first of its kind to reach markets: scientists call the treatment “a living drug,” which works by helping bolster a patient's immune system. The gene-therapy treatment could offer long remissions or cures to patients facing death after every other treatment failed.
