OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) – A Nebraska woman has become the first patient in the world to undergo a groundbreaking new treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Seven years ago, Jan Janisch-Hanzlik began experiencing symptoms she couldn’t explain.
“There was one day I was just sitting there and the numbness from my toes slowly went up on the right side of my body,” she said.
Janisch-Hanzlik said she rushed to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
However, none of the treatments were working despite her starting treatment.
“Within three months after my diagnosis, I was not responding to any medications,” Janisch-Hanzlik said. “My gait really worsened… I was starting to have several falls.”
Eventually, she was referred to MS specialist Dr. Rana Zabad at Nebraska Medicine, who presented her with the opportunity to try a new experimental treatment that was in phase one of the clinical trials.
“If it turns out that this was a safe therapy, I think we can go to phase two and phase three,” Zabad said.
The treatment Janisch-Hanzlik underwent is called allogenic CAR T-cell therapy.
“Having that opportunity and knowing that it was something I could do to help the MS community, I jumped on it,” Janisch-Hanzlik said.
Allogenic CAR T-cell therapy uses T-cells from healthy donors that are genetically modified to target and destroy specific immune cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases like MS.
“Really, we’re using different genetic technologies to kind of ‘cloak’ — if you use the Harry Potter analogy of the invisibility cloak — that is exactly what you’re trying to do with allogeneic CAR T-cells,” Dr. Matt Lunning, a CAR T-cell therapy specialist, said.
After just 60 days of treatment, Janisch-Hanzlik said she began to notice major improvements.
“I really notice an improvement. I mean, I’m walking, I am feeling so much better. I no longer require the naps that I need,” she said.
She also said she is able to enjoy the activities she used to love once again.
“I can run faster and jump higher,” she said. “I couldn’t run before and probably still can’t run now, but I definitely can jump.”
Lunning praised Janisch-Hanzlik for taking a chance on the treatment.
“The bravery that she has shown in being that first patient in the world to do this … thank you,” Lunning said.
“I wanted to do it not just for me but for the whole MS population,” Janisch-Hanzlik said.
According to Zabad, there is now a long waitlist of people hoping to be part of the trial.
While health officials stress that MS treatment looks different for every patient, they said they’re hopeful this therapy could become a new option for others in the future.
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