Doctors have linked a boy's tumor to a gene therapy, but say the rare risks need to be weighed against the profound benefits such medicines can offer.
Adam Brennan (center) and his parents, Mary Beth and Dave Brennan.Photo illo: STAT;Photos: Mary Beth and Dave Brennan
By Jason Mast
May 13, 2026
General Assignment Reporter
Jason Mast
Researchers report first cancer caused by virus widely used to deliver genes, but say risk is low
Genetic sleuthing uncovers a rare case of cancer caused by a virus administered as part of a child’s treatment for a genetic…
The case for Makary as the WOAT, Cassidy's seat at risk ahead of midterms, and other biotech news from The Readout
Alicia and Jon Langenhop's three children were each diagnosed with a rare disorder. A clinical trial was "a no-brainer."
“We’re still very much in the early stages,” a gene therapy expert said. “But every day, he’s showing us signs that he’s growing…
Some boys had astonishing recoveries. But other boys died. Now Astellas is returning to revised gene therapy for XLMTM.
Precision DNA editing targets root cause of severe childhood epilepsy in preclinical study
