CAR T-cell Therapy Two Years Later: Nick's Story - Nebraska Medicine

Every day is a blessing for someone who's had cancer. We had the rare privilege to accompany Omaha firefighter and CAR T-cell therapy patient Nick Howe on his two-year "re-staging visit" - the monumental scan results day when he learned whether his body remained in remission from lymphoma or if his cancer had returned. Nick admits to living in both anticipation and anxiety over follow-up visits such as this one. He recognizes how many people are in his shoes when it comes to battling this awful disease and wanted to be as open and transparent as possible with this shadowing experience. Nick was diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2017. He initially went through several rounds of chemo, which seemed to kill the cancer. But then the cancer returned. He then endured a stem cell transplant which was also deemed successful in the immediate days following, but unfortunately inevitably failed. Doctors determined Nick would be a good candidate for CAR T-cell therapy. Nick's own cells were genetically engineered to identify the cancer in his body and work together to destroy the disease. After having waves of disappointment and fear repeatedly crash into him, finally the tides turned and Nick's scans revealed the CAR T-cell therapy worked to rid his body of cancer. Nebraska Medicine is the only place CAR T-cell therapy is available in Nebraska, and one of the few locations in the U.S. offering it. Nick wants to thank the researchers, doctors, scientists and his entire care management team for helping him reach this day and beyond. And we thank Nick for allowing us to document this very personal and momentous day.