Grand Theft Chemo

LifeScience:

A new video game might prove to be a very productive use of time for young cancer patients: It helps kids fight their diseases figuratively and literally.

The game, called “Re-mission,” is a 20-level journey through the bodies of fictional patients suffering from different types of cancer, and of course, it can be played by adults and healthy folks as well. But the primary idea is to give patients a sense of control over their disease.

Players control an animation of a nano-sized robot named Roxxi who blasts cancer cells and battles bacterial infections; gamers must also manage real, life-threatening side effects.

Studies of young cancer patients who played the game showed they were more likely to take their medicine, to undergo treatment and to have a better understanding of their disease, according to CIGNA, the company that distributed the game (the non-profit organization HopeLab created the game).