The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 24 COVID patients today, 25 Friday. Other significant numbers:
- 13 with the active virus today, 13 Friday
- 4 in ICU, 3 Friday
- 0 on a ventilator, 1 Friday
Key points from today’s guests:
Sydney Joorabchi, acute lymphocytic leukemia patient
- Sydney was diagnosed at age 13 with a blood cancer, went into remission at 16, but it returned at 19 and she was referred to The University of Kansas Health System.
- She received CAR-T therapy, which put her back into remission. However, the cancer returned again at 24 and she received a different round to help her and she is able to work as a traveling surgical technologist today.
- Blood is sacred in her religion as a Jehovah’s Witness, so a blood transfusion was off the table.
- She said she is fortunate to meet a doctor who can address her health and spiritual needs.
- She is very grateful for the team and her support system.
Dr. Sunil Abhyankar, hematologist and medical oncologist at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, and director, Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center
- Sydney had an extremely rare form of leukemia.
- CAR-T cell uses patient’s own T cells – they are a type of lymphocytes in our blood – and they're genetically engineered to insert a gene into them so that the cells recognize the B cells and they can go after the B cells and destroy them since the B cells are where the leukemia is residing.
- This treatment can be used again to target a different area if the cancer returns.
- He was also able to enroll her in a trial approved for children, but not adults, involving antibody treatment.
- There is a menu of options in how we can treat blood cancers and by coming to an institution with facilities that have clinical trials available and has the team that is needed to take care of these complex situations, it is where people should go.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, The University of Kansas Health System
- The RSV season did shift during the pandemic.
- RSV will likely return to normal seasonality.
- Vaccines for RSV are on the way to help protect more people.
Tuesday, April 25 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Only eight percent of people with this aggressive colorectal cancer survive. Learn how a daughter beat the odds and forever changed her bond with her dad.
ATTENTION MEDIA: Please note access is with Microsoft Teams:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 235 659 792 451
Passcode: 6CSfGE
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 913-318-8863,566341546# United States, Kansas City
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.