Posted on 01/20/2020 2:42:05 PM PST by Red Badger
A newly-discovered part of our immune system could be harnessed to treat all cancers, say scientists.
The Cardiff University team discovered a method of killing prostate, breast, lung and other cancers in lab tests.
The findings, published in Nature Immunology, have not been tested in patients, but the researchers say they have "enormous potential".
Experts said that although the work was still at an early stage, it was very exciting. What have they found?
Our immune system is our body's natural defence against infection, but it also attacks cancerous cells.
The scientists were looking for "unconventional" and previously undiscovered ways the immune system naturally attacks tumours.
What they found was a T-cell inside people's blood. This is an immune cell that can scan the body to assess whether there is a threat that needs to be eliminated.
The difference is this one could attack a wide range of cancers.
"There's a chance here to treat every patient," researcher Prof Andrew Sewell told the BBC.
He added: "Previously nobody believed this could be possible.
"It raises the prospect of a 'one-size-fits-all' cancer treatment, a single type of T-cell that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population." How does it work?
T-cells have "receptors" on their surface that allow them to "see" at a chemical level.
The Cardiff team discovered a T-cell and its receptor that could find and kill a wide range of cancerous cells in the lab including lung, skin, blood, colon, breast, bone, prostate, ovarian, kidney and cervical cancer cells.
Crucially, it left normal tissues untouched.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Damn. Sorry for your losses. That is unjust punishment. F’ cancer.
Most of them were smokers..........................
I’m taking my mother to Jefferson University Hospital tomorrow for a biopsy and a consult at her ENT’s referral. She has a rapidly growing parotid tumor - and they suspect squamous cell. That’s a bad one. It happened so fast, she is in shock.
I still think smoking is bad, but genetics are key. Unfortunately I got most of my genes from my mothers side.They didn't smoke and lived good lives but not extraordinarily long ones
My father-in-law is 85 and still smokes..................
I’m doing okay. I have finished 9 months of a 5 year drug regimen... it’s a long road. The drug makes me tired and causes food to taste odd, but those are really small things when compared to the alternative.
Thank you for asking.
Very good. Hugs.
See, as FReepers, we might have had nasty disagreements in the past, but will always be here to support you when needed.
bidoon is getting up in his years.
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Aw, I am so sorry for your daughter.
Breast cancer is a tough diagnosis, especially the triple negative type. I hope that she is well enough for the trial study.
Before my mother-in-law died from breast cancer, she enrolled in some experimental protocols. I mentioned this to one of my oncologists, who commented that it is because of the bravery of people like my mother-in-law that we have such improved breast cancer treatments now.
Your son is very brave. Many prayers for him.
Thank you very much.
Disagreements just come from different perspectives. We are still all on the same side.
That’s great!
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