Sam Neill is celebrating a major milestone in his health journey. The 78-year-old actor, best known for his role in Jurassic Park, has revealed that he is now cancer-free after undergoing a cutting-edge treatment.
Four years after being diagnosed with stage 3 blood cancer, Neill told 7News Australia that a revolutionary immunotherapy called CAR T-cell therapy has eliminated the disease. He had previously undergone chemotherapy, but when it stopped working, his outlook seemed grim.
"I was at a loss and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal, obviously," Neill admitted. But the CAR T-cell therapy, which trains immune cells to target and destroy cancer, proved effective. "I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body. That's an extraordinary thing," he said.
Neill was initially diagnosed in 2022 with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after experiencing swollen glands during press for Jurassic World Dominion. Despite the challenges, he has maintained a positive perspective, telling The Guardian in 2023: "I can't pretend that the last year hasn't had its dark moments. But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief."
When asked about mortality, Neill said, "I'm not afraid to die but it would annoy me. Because I'd really like another decade or two." He added that he wants to see his grandchildren grow up and enjoy the life he has built.
CAR T-cell therapy is recognized by the American Cancer Society as an effective option for certain hard-to-treat blood cancers. Neill's successful treatment offers hope to others facing similar battles.