text_1: Gene Therapy Cures Adult Leukemia
text_2: Despite an incorrect headline and some overly effusive quotes, this story outperformed the competition from Reuters in presenting the findings from a very small but promising study into a new treatment for the most prevalent form of leukemia. The story broke down the science behind the study in clear terms, explored the side effects of the treatment and painted a realistic picture of the difficulties in translating these initial findings into a clinical therapy. We wish the story had avoided phrases such as “amazing success” and “absolutely dramatic,” even in quotes. Some of these descriptors were over-the-top compared to most of the content of the story. It declares “Gene Therapy Cures Adult Leukemia,” while in the story itself it says, “Doctors hate to declare a cure until patients have been cancer-free for at least five years.” As noted by both of the stories we reviewed, researchers have been trying to find a way to use genetically engineered cells to fight cancer for 20 years, making even a small study like this interesting news. Both stories sounded some cautionary notes, but WebMD did a better job overall of helping readers see that the study’s findings were promising but not proof that a cure for leukemia is around the corner. This makes the WebMD headline all the more unfortunate because the body of the story is full of much more specific and relevant information.