Seven-year-old 'recovers' from leukaemia after new therapy

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Emily Whitehead has been in remission for six months

Doctors in the United States are hopeful they have made a major breakthrough in the treatment of childhood leukaemia.

Seven-year-old Emily Whitehead - who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2010 - is now in remission after a pioneering treatment.

Emily, who had not responded to congenital therapy, took part in a clinical trial in which her immune system was effectively re-programmed to fight the disease.

So far - it seems to have worked.

Dr Stephan Grupp at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said: "We checked her three months and now six months after her treatment, she has no disease whatsoever."

ITV News' Medical Editor, Lawrence McGinty reports.