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Dowel had already beaten leukaemia once but relapsed at the start of this year.
Instead of traditional chemotherapy, though, he has been put on a trial drug called Blinatumomab this time around.
After five weeks, Dowel’s residual disease count is now at zero per cent at the completion of the first cycle of treatment.
Not only has that initial cycle proved a success at eliminating the disease, the Victorian has avoided the debilitating side effects that the traditional chemotherapy and steroids had on his body the first time around.
He is now set to undergo a full bone marrow transplant in May.
Should Dowel’s progress in this treatment continue and he wins the battle, he will be cured for life without the possibility of the disease returning, and thus a return to the ARC is possible.
“I am extremely grateful to have been part of this revolutionary trial that looks to have helped me overcome and can’t thank all the people who have supported and helped me enough,” he said.
“I was awfully saddened to be diagnosed with leukaemia again, but I stayed positive and was lucky enough to have a good support network around me and to take part in the trial.
“This alternative treatment gave me another chance to fight the disease because the leukaemia cells would have been resistant to traditional chemo treatments from my first battle.
“Obviously, there is still a fair way to go but the recent results have given myself and the family a real boost and we can see that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
“I am really looking forward to getting through the transplant and returning to normal life throughout the year and am hopeful that I will be in a rally car back in the ARC for the 2025 season.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support during this tough time and I look forward to my ARC return next year.”
Dowel’s father, Justin, added, “We are all very relieved that Troy was able to overcome his second battle with leukaemia and I am so very proud of him for the fight that he put on once again.
“Although the Alfred Hospital is not the most pleasant place to be, it has been by the far the best place for his treatment and he is so very lucky and grateful to be part of this revolutionary trial.
“This specific trial drug worked by attaching antibodies to the leukaemia cells which allow the immune system to recognise them as foreign and kill them. This was all done without harming his physical condition.
“Troy is in very high spirits with this incredible news, and as his physical condition is still very good, we are excited to know that he will more than likely make a return to the ARC next year.
“Right now, his focus is to finish this battle, where there is still lots of work to get done, but once we are there, then he can switch our focus to his rally return, and we are all extremely excited.”
