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Scientists find key to 'turbo-charging' immune system to kill all cancers
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Imperial College scientists are developing a gene therapy designed to boost immune cells
A protein which ‘turbo-charges’ the immune system so that it can fight off any cancer or virus has been discovered by scientists. In a breakthrough described as a ‘game-changer’ for cancer treatment, researchers at Imperial College found a previously unknown molecule which boosts the body’s ability to fight off chronic illnesses.
Scientists at Imperial College London, who led the study, are now developing a gene therapy based on the protein and hope to begin human trials in three years.
“This is exciting because we have found a completely different way to use the immune system to fight cancer,” said Professor Philip Ashton-Rickardt, from the Section of Immunobiology in the Department of Medicine at Imperial, who led the study.
“It could be a game-changer for treating a number of different cancers and viruses.
“This is a completely unknown protein. Nobody had ever seen it before or was even aware that it existed. It looks and acts like no other protein.”
The protein – named lymphocyte expansion molecule, or LEM, promotes the spread of cancer killing ‘T cells’ by generating large amounts of energy.
Normally when the immune system detects cancer it goes into overdrive trying to fight the disease, flooding the body with T cells. But it quickly runs out of steam.
Rest of article
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/scie...l-cancers.html
A protein which ‘turbo-charges’ the immune system so that it can fight off any cancer or virus has been discovered by scientists. In a breakthrough described as a ‘game-changer’ for cancer treatment, researchers at Imperial College found a previously unknown molecule which boosts the body’s ability to fight off chronic illnesses.
Scientists at Imperial College London, who led the study, are now developing a gene therapy based on the protein and hope to begin human trials in three years.
“This is exciting because we have found a completely different way to use the immune system to fight cancer,” said Professor Philip Ashton-Rickardt, from the Section of Immunobiology in the Department of Medicine at Imperial, who led the study.
“It could be a game-changer for treating a number of different cancers and viruses.
“This is a completely unknown protein. Nobody had ever seen it before or was even aware that it existed. It looks and acts like no other protein.”
The protein – named lymphocyte expansion molecule, or LEM, promotes the spread of cancer killing ‘T cells’ by generating large amounts of energy.
Normally when the immune system detects cancer it goes into overdrive trying to fight the disease, flooding the body with T cells. But it quickly runs out of steam.
Rest of article
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/scie...l-cancers.html
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#2
(Original post by Synapsida)
Imperial College scientists are developing a gene therapy designed to boost immune cells
A protein which ‘turbo-charges’ the immune system so that it can fight off any cancer or virus has been discovered by scientists. In a breakthrough described as a ‘game-changer’ for cancer treatment, researchers at Imperial College found a previously unknown molecule which boosts the body’s ability to fight off chronic illnesses.
Scientists at Imperial College London, who led the study, are now developing a gene therapy based on the protein and hope to begin human trials in three years.
“This is exciting because we have found a completely different way to use the immune system to fight cancer,” said Professor Philip Ashton-Rickardt, from the Section of Immunobiology in the Department of Medicine at Imperial, who led the study.
“It could be a game-changer for treating a number of different cancers and viruses.
“This is a completely unknown protein. Nobody had ever seen it before or was even aware that it existed. It looks and acts like no other protein.”
The protein – named lymphocyte expansion molecule, or LEM, promotes the spread of cancer killing ‘T cells’ by generating large amounts of energy.
Normally when the immune system detects cancer it goes into overdrive trying to fight the disease, flooding the body with T cells. But it quickly runs out of steam.
Rest of article
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/scie...l-cancers.html
Imperial College scientists are developing a gene therapy designed to boost immune cells
A protein which ‘turbo-charges’ the immune system so that it can fight off any cancer or virus has been discovered by scientists. In a breakthrough described as a ‘game-changer’ for cancer treatment, researchers at Imperial College found a previously unknown molecule which boosts the body’s ability to fight off chronic illnesses.
Scientists at Imperial College London, who led the study, are now developing a gene therapy based on the protein and hope to begin human trials in three years.
“This is exciting because we have found a completely different way to use the immune system to fight cancer,” said Professor Philip Ashton-Rickardt, from the Section of Immunobiology in the Department of Medicine at Imperial, who led the study.
“It could be a game-changer for treating a number of different cancers and viruses.
“This is a completely unknown protein. Nobody had ever seen it before or was even aware that it existed. It looks and acts like no other protein.”
The protein – named lymphocyte expansion molecule, or LEM, promotes the spread of cancer killing ‘T cells’ by generating large amounts of energy.
Normally when the immune system detects cancer it goes into overdrive trying to fight the disease, flooding the body with T cells. But it quickly runs out of steam.
Rest of article
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/scie...l-cancers.html
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An major Problem with this treatment is that it probably increases the risk of autoimmune disease and I don't like tinkering around my immune system. Good think cytotoxic T-cells are still regulated.
The main point of having trails is to find out about adverse affects of an new treatment. But our current knowledge of immunology is quite limited and I have an personal impression that we have an poor understanding of the immune system. After all, we still struggle to create an vaccine for haemorrhagic virus that manipulates the lymphocytes and T-cell in the 2014 epidemic in W. Africa. We also still struggle with basic autoimmune diseases (in 2015 still!). Prehaps this has to do with the sheer complexity of the immune system. Could any biology, Med and science students TSR members voice their concerns on this topic?
The main point of having trails is to find out about adverse affects of an new treatment. But our current knowledge of immunology is quite limited and I have an personal impression that we have an poor understanding of the immune system. After all, we still struggle to create an vaccine for haemorrhagic virus that manipulates the lymphocytes and T-cell in the 2014 epidemic in W. Africa. We also still struggle with basic autoimmune diseases (in 2015 still!). Prehaps this has to do with the sheer complexity of the immune system. Could any biology, Med and science students TSR members voice their concerns on this topic?
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(Original post by MatureStudent36)
Bloody great news.
Bloody great news.
or
your body goes cytokine storm and goes ful ****** (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine_storm)
Also we all have different immune system that depends on the individuals genetic traits. This is due our HLA system. So it will not be an treatment that follows an general metabolic or biochemical pathway like Ibrofin or penicillin. It would an very capital intensive treatment, even more than Chemotherapy because the pathway is different for individuals, so the drugs that control you immune system would have to be specialized for YOU only. My knowledge in Immunology is limited (only an access to science student). Does any one here have an clue on what the article is stating?
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#5
(Original post by Synapsida)
An major Problem with this treatment is that it probably increases the risk of autoimmune disease and I don't like tinkering around my immune system. Good think cytotoxic T-cells are still regulated.
The main point of having trails is to find out about adverse affects of an new treatment. But our current knowledge of immunology is quite limited and I have an personal impression that we have an poor understanding of the immune system. After all, we still struggle to create an vaccine for haemorrhagic virus that manipulates the lymphocytes and T-cell in the 2014 epidemic in W. Africa. We also still struggle with basic autoimmune diseases (in 2015 still!). Prehaps this has to do with the sheer complexity of the immune system. Could any biology, Med and science students TSR members voice their concerns on this topic?
An major Problem with this treatment is that it probably increases the risk of autoimmune disease and I don't like tinkering around my immune system. Good think cytotoxic T-cells are still regulated.
The main point of having trails is to find out about adverse affects of an new treatment. But our current knowledge of immunology is quite limited and I have an personal impression that we have an poor understanding of the immune system. After all, we still struggle to create an vaccine for haemorrhagic virus that manipulates the lymphocytes and T-cell in the 2014 epidemic in W. Africa. We also still struggle with basic autoimmune diseases (in 2015 still!). Prehaps this has to do with the sheer complexity of the immune system. Could any biology, Med and science students TSR members voice their concerns on this topic?
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(Original post by whorace)
Better than certain death.
Better than certain death.
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#7
Just from first principles, this will create an immunological nightmare. Autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity, infections...Not to mention the metabolic consequences and chances of lymphoma...
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#8
This article is a prime example of why IMO Imperial is the best uni, even above Oxbridge.
The media, like The Telegraph, simply only focuses on Oxbridge. No doubt if this discovery were made at Oxbridge, that would feature in the headline.
Instead, it states, "Scientists find ..... " as opposed to: "Imperial College ..... "
The media, like The Telegraph, simply only focuses on Oxbridge. No doubt if this discovery were made at Oxbridge, that would feature in the headline.
Instead, it states, "Scientists find ..... " as opposed to: "Imperial College ..... "
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