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T Cell Therapy
The T cells, which can then recognize and kill the cancer cells, are reintroduced into the patient. Modification of T-cells sourced from donors other than the patient are also under investigation. When these “attacker” CAR T cells are returned to the patient’s bloodstream, they multiply in number. At this point, they recognize and kill the cancerous cells. They may remain in the body long after th
Scientists are claiming “extraordinary” success with engineering immune cells to target a specific type of blood cancer in their first clinical trials. Among several dozen patients who would typically have only had months to live, early experimental trials that used the immune system’s T-cells to target cancers had “extraordinary results”.
In one study, 94% of participants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) saw symptoms vanish completely. Patients with other blood cancers had response rates greater than 80%, and more than half experienced complete remission, according to The Guardian.
The immune system is the body’s defense against infection and cancer. It is made up of billions of cells that are divided into several different types. Lymphocytes, a subtype of white blood cells, comprise a major portion of the immune system. There are three types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells) make antibodies to fight infection; and T lymphocytes (T cells) and natural killer (NK) cells directly kill infected or cancerous cells and also talk to other cells of the immune system using chemicals known as “cytokines.”
T Immune cells or antibodies can be produced in the laboratory under tightly controlled conditions. After this reengineering, the T cells are known as “chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells.” CARs are proteins that allow the T cells to recognize a specific protein (antigen) on targeted tumor cells. These CAR T cells are then multiplied in the lab. The number of genetically modified T cells is “expanded” by growing them in the laboratory until hundreds of millions of the modified T cells are available. Once enough of the cells are grown, they are sent back to the hospital or center where the patient is being treated.
The T cells, which can then recognize and kill the cancer cells, are reintroduced into the patient. Modification of T-cells sourced from donors other than the patient are also under investigation. When these “attacker” CAR T cells are returned to the patient’s bloodstream, they multiply in number. At this point, they recognize and kill the cancerous cells. They may remain in the body long after the infusion and will continue to guard against cancer recurrence.
