On this special episode of Healthcare Unfiltered, I am joined by my esteemed guest James LaBelle, MD, PhD, Associate Director of Pediatrics and Director of the Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy Program at the University of Chicago. James is the senior author on the NEJM paper that showed how CRISPR technology can cure sickle cell disease. Link to the paper below.
On the show, Dr. LaBelle elucidates the complexities of sickle cell disease, unraveling the devastating impact it has on individuals. The episode delves into various treatments and approaches to combat this formidable disease, including bone marrow transplant and the groundbreaking use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. LaBelle shares insights into the recent research breakthroughs, citing the remarkable research report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showcasing the successful application of CRISPR-Cas9 for sickle cell disease. This episode serves as a gateway into the promising future of genetic therapies, offering hope and understanding for those affected by this challenging condition.
Dr. Simrit Parmar, founder of Cellenkos, joins the show to discuss her journey from the lab to the biotech startup world, detailing the inspiration behind launching her company, the challenges of securing funding, and the resilience required to overcome rejections. She shares insights into Cellenkos’ lead product, its progress toward market approval, and the rigorous
Carol Rausch—a healthcare professional, cancer researcher, and former patient with lymphoma—shares how her journey from researcher to patient transformed her understanding of medical language. She discusses the impact of word choice on patients, why certain battle and war metaphors can be harmful, and how language used in clinical settings differs from what resonates with those
Drs. David Braun and Toni Choueiri join to discuss a groundbreaking Nature study on a personalized neoantigen vaccine for adjuvant renal cell carcinoma. They explore the inspiration behind the trial, how the vaccine was developed and administered, and its safety profile. The conversation also covers patient outcomes after 3-4 years, including immune responses and disease
