Texas Woman Reaches Remission Through Pioneering Cancer Therapy

After nearly a decade of treatment, Shirley Powers found success with an FDA-approved cellular therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Shirley Powers, a Texas woman who had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia for nearly a decade, has reached remission through an innovative FDA-approved cellular therapy. The treatment, known as CAR T-cell therapy, involves genetically modifying the patient's own T-cells to better target and kill cancer cells. Despite facing numerous rounds of chemotherapy and a weakened immune system, Powers has now been cancer-free for over a year thanks to this cutting-edge approach.

Why it matters

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia has proven difficult to treat, with patients often cycling through various chemotherapy regimens as the cancer repeatedly returns. The success of CAR T-cell therapy in Powers' case represents a major breakthrough, offering hope to others struggling with this form of blood cancer. The treatment's ability to harness the patient's own immune system marks a shift in cancer care, providing a potential cure rather than just temporary remission.

The details

The CAR T-cell therapy process involves collecting the patient's T-cells, genetically modifying them to better recognize and attack cancer cells, and then reintroducing the enhanced cells back into the patient's body. This process can have significant side effects, including fever, low blood pressure, and a heightened risk of infection, as the immune system becomes highly activated. Powers experienced these side effects but was able to recover with close medical monitoring.

  • In 2014, St. David's South Austin Medical Center started its stem cell transplant program.
  • In 2019, the hospital launched its CAR T-cell therapy program, making it the only adult facility in Central Texas to offer this treatment.
  • In 2024, the FDA approved CAR T-cell therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, providing a new option for Powers and other patients who had exhausted other treatments.

The players

Shirley Powers

A Texas woman who had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia for nearly a decade before finding success with CAR T-cell therapy.

Dr. Aravind Ramakrishnan

An oncologist at St. David's South Austin Medical Center who leads the stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program.

St. David's South Austin Medical Center

The only adult hospital in Central Texas that offers a stem cell and CAR T-cell transplant program, having launched these services in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

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What they’re saying

“CLL has been a harder pickle for us than others to treat.”

— Dr. Aravind Ramakrishnan, Oncologist (statesman.com)

“After the transplant, I had some discomfort and a bad headache. Then I began to feel it in my bones. They gave me some medication to help with that.”

— Shirley Powers (statesman.com)

“Once you're part of our family, your part of our family forever.”

— Dr. Aravind Ramakrishnan, Oncologist (statesman.com)

What’s next

Doctors will continue to closely monitor Shirley Powers' immune system and overall health for the rest of her life following the CAR T-cell therapy treatment.

The takeaway

The success of CAR T-cell therapy in treating Shirley Powers' chronic lymphocytic leukemia represents a major breakthrough in cancer care, offering hope to others battling this difficult-to-treat form of blood cancer. This innovative approach harnesses the patient's own immune system to fight the disease, marking a shift away from traditional chemotherapy regimens.