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He thought it was gout. Doctors said he needed hospice. A clinical trial saved his life.
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Ryan Goepel, initially misattributing knee pain to gout, was diagnosed with critical acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in September 2024 after alarming blood test results and hospital evaluation.
- Goepel's AML was classified as adverse-risk, making standard chemotherapy likely ineffective and dangerous, but he was accepted into a clinical trial testing a new treatment regimen typically used for older patients.
- The clinical trial showed promising results, with 25 of 36 patients experiencing cancer shrinkage or remission within 28 days; Goepel achieved remission shortly after starting treatment.
- Following remission, Goepel underwent a successful bone marrow transplant from his sister, experienced manageable post-transplant complications, and has remained cancer-free for two years.
- The trial's results are prompting reconsideration of standard AML treatments, especially for adverse-risk patients, while Goepel is now focusing on rebuilding his life and managing the emotional aftermath of his cancer journey.
