Cells 'set' to fight tumours.ORDINARY immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. cells can be genetically engineered genetically engineered adjective Recombinant, see there in the laboratory to become specialised tumour fighters. In a small-scale trial, two patients with skin cancer were declared clinically free of the disease 18 months after starting the treatment. Tests showed that the modified T cells persisted in the bodies of another 15 patients. For at least two months after treatment, they made up at least 10% of their circulating T cells. The researchers, led by Dr Steven Rosenberg at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, US, have also shown they can engineer immune cells to attack breast, lung and liver cancers. Stephen Simpson, senior editor of the journal Science which published the findings, said: "This work marks an important next step in harnessing the power of our immune systems to fight cancer." T cells are white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies that can recognise and attack foreign invaders. |
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