The research, published in online edition of journal Science, has demonstrated sustained regression of advanced melanoma in a study of 17 patients by genetically engineering patients' own white blood cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Mr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Cancer Institute, said in a press release on official website of the institute, "These results represent the first time gene therapy has been used successfully to treat cancer."
"Moreover, we hope it will be applicable not only to melanoma, but also for a broad range of common cancers, such as breast and lung cancer," he added.
The researchers, however, stated that these methods had failed to stall the disease in the first three groups.
