New cancer breakthrough shows promise and may stop cancer in its tracks.We already know how amazing our body’s immune system is in fighting invading bacteria and viruses and restoring us to health following an illness, but the most recent discoveries from a research study by Cardiff University are positioned to bring a unique and surprising development: stopping cancer in its tracks.
Researchers uncovered a certain type of immune cell, a T-cell, situated in our blood, which can scan and destroy threats – including a wide selection of cancer cells: ovarian, cervical, blood, kidney, prostate, lung, colon, and numerous others. And astonishingly, all normal tissue is left unaltered.
The newly discovered T-cell works in concert with a certain molecule found on the surface of each cell throughout our body, known as the MR1 molecule. The hypothesis is that the MR1 is notifying the T-cell of any cancer cell malformations. Garry Dolton, who was an important part of the research team, states, “We are the first to describe a T-cell that finds MR1 in cancer cells – that hasn’t been done before; this is the first of its kind.”
While there is currently a comparable type of treatment, called CAR-T, which has shown significant results in bringing patients from a terminal status to complete remission, it has only been shown to be effective in some types of cancer, and not “solid cancers” (those that form tumors). This new cancer breakthrough has so far been shown to impact all forms of cancer. Here’s how it is understood to get results:
- Blood is obtained from a patient diagnosed with cancer.
- The blood is filtered to remove T-cells.
- A particular type of benign virus is injected into the T-cells, letting them pick up on cancer cells.
- These cells are then duplicated in a lab, and inserted back into the individual.
Studies have been extremely effective in animal trials, and after further safety checks, the next phase is going to be human trials. According to Daniel Davis, professor of immunology at the University of Manchester, “There is no question that it’s a very exciting discovery, both for advancing our basic knowledge about the immune system and for the possibility of future new medicines.”
While we keep an eye out for additional info regarding this new cancer breakthrough, you can rely on Home Sweet Home In-Home Care, the experts in elder care in Kalamazoo and the surrounding areas, when it comes to the finest quality care for people with cancer and various health conditions. Just some of the various ways we can assist you include:
- Meal planning and preparation, specific to virtually any nutritional limitations or challenges
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- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Running errands, for example, picking up prescriptions and grocery shopping
- Transportation to physician appointments/procedures and exciting outings
- And a whole lot more
Take the initial step to an enhanced quality of life for someone you love. Give us a call at (269) 763-5350 in Paw Paw, (269) 849-9252 in St. Joseph, (269) 373-5444 in Kalamazoo or (269) 963-9888 in Battle Creek and ask about an in-home consultation.