Cardinal George to get experimental cancer drug

The Archdiocese of Chicago says Cardinal Francis George is trying an experimental drug to treat his cancer.

The archdiocese issued a statement Friday saying that the 77-year-old George has agreed to participate in a clinical trial at the University of Chicago Medicine. Officials say the drug may activate cells in the immune system so they can attack cancer cells.

The archdiocese says George is continuing treatment at Loyola University Medical Center, and that he's maintaining his regular work schedule.

George said early this year that he believes the cancer eventually will take his life. He survived bladder cancer eight years ago and was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.

George has been the spiritual leader of Chicago's more than 2 million Roman Catholics since 1997.