Quebec woman hopes for experimental cancer treatment in U.S.
A 22-year-old Chambly woman diagnosed with cancer could be the first Canadian to take part in an experimental treatment in Texas after exhausting her options in her home country.
Maria Muscari was diagnosed at 18 years old with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She gave up her nursing studies program at Champlain College to undergo extensive cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
"It's been lonely, it's been hard," she said.
Four years later, her cancer is still not responding to the nine treatments she's had.
"We don't really have anything here that can provide her with hope and a remission and a cure," said Dr. April Shamy, Muscari’s oncologist at the Jewish General Hospital.
Yet, Dr. Shamy has cautiously offered some hope.
She says Muscari is a good fit for an experimental treatment offered by the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas.
This new treatment prompts the body's natural killer cells to attack the Hodgkin cells.
"Everyone has natural killer cells in their bodies, mine just happen to be lazy and don't work as well to recognize the cancer cells in my body and to fight them off and kill them," said Muscari.
To qualify as a candidate for this clinical trial, that is not offered in Canada, Muscari had to have exhausted all her care options at home first.
"We got the best treatment at the Jewish General. It was amazing and they brought (her) to where they can bring her. They couldn't bring her any further and now what's happening… they're keeping her alive until we can get to that treatment," said her stepfather Rick Kidder.
The first hurdle has already been cleared.
Dr. Yago Nieto has approved Muscari as a candidate for the next phase of clinical trials in Texas this September.
The data shows that "the response rate is 94 per cent, and all 24 patients who received the same dose that Maria will receive have responded. The complete remission rate is 69 per cent," he said.
Dr. Shamy says those numbers are promising.
"For people like Maria who've had multiple lines of therapy, that's unheard of. And our goal for a 22-year-old woman is an opportunity for a cure," she said.
Now the next hurdle is financial: expenses for this trip could total $325,000.
Muscari and her family have set up a GoFundMe page to collect donations.
"I really do believe this treatment will save me, it will save me, definitely," said Muscari.
It’s a life-or-death decision, added Kidder.
"We have to get there, or she will die," he said. "We have to get her there."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.