Video: Targeting tumors with fewer side-effects

>>> we've got some good news to report tonight about fighting cancer . researchers found a new class of drugs that kill the cancer without ruining the patient's quality of life . chief science correspond nt robert bizell has the story of a woman with advanced breast cancer who now has a new lease on life.

>> reporter: with two young kids always on the move, 47-year-old fern seidovitz is happy to have her energy and life back. far different picture from 2009 when her stage four breast cancer had spread to her body including her bones. her doctors gave her herceptin, that needs to be combined with standard chemotherapy drugs that have severe side effects , including hair loss .

>> i felt nauseous, absolutely sick.

>> reporter: the combination worked for a year but the cancer returned and when it did, doctors had a new experimental option called t-dm1. they covered the herceptin ant body with a powerful toxin. it delivers the poison directly, sparing the healthy cells and eliminating the need for additional thee mow therapy.

>> the fact that we have been successful in proving that you can actually get chemotherapy straight to the cancer cells by using this magic bullet is really a dream that's being realized at this meeting.

>> whoa, give me five!

>> reporter: when seidovitz got the new drug, not only did her cancer go into remission, the treatment carried new side effects .

>> i've not lost my hair or eyebrows, i don't feel sick, my insides don't feel raw. my fingernails are not turning black and i'm not losing my fingernails.

>> reporter: in a major cancer conference starting today in chicago design 'tis also present many activated ant bodies. fern is thrilled with the news.

>> it's amazing if we have this treatment for every type of cancer .

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Video: Targeting tumors with fewer side-effects