Killing cancer with a breakthrough therapy | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

Paragraph 1 introduces glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. It describes how treatments like radiation and chemotherapy started in the 19th and 20th centuries but have only extended life by a few months. The paragraph then previews a new 21st century experimental polio virus therapy at Duke University that may represent a breakthrough by harnessing the immune system against cancer.

Paragraph 2 provides background on Nancy Justice, a glioblastoma patient, and her family. Her tumor was diagnosed in the 21st year of her marriage as her sons approached college graduation. With limited treatment options remaining, doctors at Duke administer the polio virus directly into Nancy's tumor via an inserted catheter, hoping to stimulate an immune response against the cancer.

Paragraph 3 covers the initial response to the polio virus treatment in Nancy and other early trial patients. It describes how the immune response and inflammation makes tumors appear to grow before shrinking. One patient, Stephanie Lipscomb, continued treatment against medical advice and saw her tumor disappear. But another patient, Donna Clegg, suffered paralyzation from the inflammation and died after leaving the trial.

Paragraph 4 checks back on Nancy Justice's progress after four and a half months. Inflammation initially caused her tumor to swell dangerously but drugs reduced the swelling. Her latest MRI now shows holes forming in the tumor as the polio virus breaks it down from inside and the immune system attacks.

Paragraph 5 shares MRI images of two patients who show no signs of cancer years after getting the polio infusion. This remarkable response was not expected. The treatment works by using polio virus to remove the tumor's protective shield against the immune system, enabling the body's own defenses to recognize and eliminate the cancer.

Paragraph 6 covers the latest progress in the trial. The median survival has increased from 10 to 15 months, with some living over 2 years still cancer free. Based on these positive results, the FDA granted breakthrough status to provide faster access for more patients while final approval is still pending.

Paragraph 7 puts the polio virus immunotherapy into wider medical context. After decades researching cancer treatments, Dr. Friedman calls this approach the most promising he has seen. The groundbreaking idea is to use a virus to remove tumors' protective shield against the immune system, enabling the body's own defenses to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Paragraph 8 returns to the complications observed in patients like Donna Clegg. Managing the level of inflammation triggered by immune response remains an ongoing issue. Doctors cut the polio virus strength by 85% for Nancy Justice, hoping for sufficient immune activation without swelling side effects.

Paragraph 9 introduces Brendan Steele, whose tumor returned after initial polio infusion. However, chemotherapy which previously failed suddenly eliminated his tumor months later. Researchers theorize the polio virus primes the tumor to be more responsive to chemo drugs - a game changing realization.

Paragraph 10 checks in once more with Nancy Justice after an up and down battle. The polio virus and chemo provided good responses initially but ceased working over time. As options dwindle, Nancy focuses on living in the moment with family by her side until she sadly passes away in April.

Paragraph 11 concludes with researchers doubling down to better manage immune response inflammation levels to improve patient outcomes. But beyond glioblastoma, experiments also show promising results for the polio virus therapy working against breast, pancreatic and other cancer types - offering hope of broader impact.