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Alydia Stark | 20 th May 2021
It’s safe to say a vast majority of us have somehow been negatively affected by cancer. Whether we know someone suffering from cancer personally or know someone who happens to knows someone that’s suffered from this heart-breaking, life-changing disease. In an article written by Bernard Weinstein and Kathleen Case, they mark the modern era of cancer research as beginning in the 19th century and has led to our current concepts of cancer.
After centuries of research over one topic, you’d think we’d be closer to finding a cure. Well, thanks to a research study conducted by the researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, we may be one step closer.
The Twin Cities university revealed how certain engineered immune cells used in cancer therapies are able to “overcome physical barriers” to allow our immune systems to fight cancerous tumors (UNM, 2021). Rather than using harmful chemicals or radiation, they’ve
researched using an immunotherapy treatment with a focus on T-cells which are of key importance to our immune systems. T-cells focus on targeting specific foreign particles that enter our bodies. They tend to attack antigens and circle through our body until they find them. Immunotherapy has proven to help patients who suffer from cancers involving blood or blood-producing organs, but healing solid tumors proves to be quite difficult. As of right now, T-cells in their current state aren’t strong enough to fight through the obstacle course that is cancerous tumors.
As of now, T-cells are able to infiltrate the tumor, but they’re unable to move around quickly. This is similar to us trying to run in quicksand or escaping a bad guy in a nightmare. By the time the cell is close to its desired destination, it’s too tired from the journey to actually fight off the cancer cells. The breakthrough research being done by the university involves the researchers working to genetically advance the T-cells strength making them more equipped to successfully overcome barriers provided by tumors. This means the cells won’t tire out and will move quicker through the dense object. “If these immune cells can recognize and get to the cancer cells, then they can destroy the tumor,” (UMN, 2021).
Immunotherapy involving the genetic advancements of T-cells is also referred to as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. CAR therapy can be very helpful with cancer treatment even when other treatments are no longer working. The T-cells are being genetically modified in labs like the ones located at the research center on the Twin Cities campus. Creating new, stronger T-cells gives our bodies immune systems a fighting chance in curing certain cancers on their own.
According to the American Cancer Society, the process of genetically modifying original T-cells begins with extracting white blood cells from the patient and separating the T-cells using a procedure called leukapheresis. Next, the newly removed T-cells are sent off to a lab and altered by “adding the gene for specific [CAR, thus making] them CAR T-cells,” (American Cancer Society, 2021). After the gene is added, the cells are grown and multiplied in the lab. Lastly, the cells are put back into the patient and the patient is given a weakened chemotherapy treatment to “lower the number of other immune cells,” (American Cancer Society, 2021). The new and improved T-cells then multiply in the body and start fighting cancer cells on their own.
The focus of this type of cancer therapy has been directed towards pancreatic cancer, but the developing technique has the potential to one day diminish multiple types of cancer. Keep an eye out for news updates involving all things medical!
For more information, check out these links below!
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210514134222.htm https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/68/17/6861#:~:text=In%20the%201700s%2C%20it%2 0was,is%20a%20disease%20of%20cells