Scientists have found a way of using humans’ own cells to target cancer
It's now possible to turn white blood cells into cancer killers, capable of tracking down and destroying the disease just as it enters its most dangerous phase.
By experimenting on mice, researchers at Cornell University in the US found that when they attached a specific protein called the TRAIL protein (Tumour necrosis factor Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand) to white cells found in the lymph nodes, the cells suddenly gained “super natural killer cell” qualities.
The reason why this is such a major step is that the lymph nodes, where the white blood cells are located, is also where cancer cells begin metastasis – the process by which cancer starts to spread between organs of the body. Once metastasis has taken place, it becomes far less likely that treatment will work.
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"In our research, we use nanoparticles – the liposomes we have created with TRAIL protein – and attach them to natural killer cells, to create what we call 'super natural killer cells' and then these completely eliminate lymph node metastases in mice," said Michael King, lead researcher. "We want to see lymph node metastasis become a thing of the past.”
In the study, they found that when the white blood cells had the protein attached, they were easily able to find the cancer cells pre-metastasis and induce apoptosis – the self-destruction and disintegration of the cells. This stops the spread happening any further.
Finding a way to target these cells early on is crucial for the protection of humans against cancer – between 29 and 37 per cent of patients with lung, breast and bowel cancers currently have metastasis taking place in their lymph nodes when they are diagnosed with the disease.