Immune From Cancer?

A cancer-killing drug has been created from the immune systems of people who appear to have the ability to naturally fight off the disease.

18:17 09 May 2016

For many years, cancer research focused on identifying the difference between “tiger” cancers that quickly kill the patient and non-fatal cancers. However, new theories suggest that it is not necessary that the cancer is weak but that the immune system of some people has the ability to contain tumours.

 

Researchers in the US identified the antibody that they believe makes the immune system effective in fighting cancer to create a cancer-killing drug.

 

Professor Edward Patz, who led the study, said: “This is the first completely human-derived antibody developed as an anti-cancer therapy.

 

“This could represent a whole new approach to treating cancer, and it’s exciting because the antibody selectively kills tumour cells, so we don’t have significant side effects to achieve tumour control. 

 

“We believe we can modulate the immune response and let the body’s own immune system take over to either kill the tumour or keep it from growing.”

 

Meanwhile, Dr James O’Malley, the charity's research information manager, said: “Harnessing the power of a patient’s own immune system and turning it against cancer is an increasingly exciting area of research. 

 

“The cancer-targeting antibodies used in this study were effective at fighting cancer cells in the lab, so the next step will now be to show this approach is just as powerful, feasible and, most importantly, safe for use in people with cancer.”