A group of researchers from Cardiff University, UK, recently discovered that a new T cell, which has been described as “killer immune” could be used to treat almost all types of cancer, including prostate, breast, ovarian, kidney, skin, bone, cervix, colon and/or lung. Scientists managed to find this cell inside the blood, with a new receptor capable of scanning the organism to evaluate if there is a threat that needs to be eliminated and, at the same time, it could attack a wide range of cancers without touching or altering any healthy cell, which is equivalent to producing fewer side effects.

The lymphocyte prevents HLA and binds to the tumor molecule called MR1, which is the same between different cancers. On this topic, Dr. Mauricio León Rivera, Surgical Oncologist of our clinic, expressed that this study opens new hopes in the field of oncology to obtain a treatment that is unique and always the same, based on immunotherapy that would be used against different types of malignancies.

Treatment

Treatment would involve taking a blood sample from a cancer patient, removing their T cells, and genetically modifying them to form the cancer detection receptor. The enhanced cells would be multiplied in the laboratory and placed back into the patient for the annihilation of the malignant cells within his body.

T cells

T cells, which have “receptors” on their surface that allow them to “see” at a chemical level, are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune or defense system and is formed from stem cells in the bone marrow. It should be mentioned that the publication of this study was made in the scientific journal “Nature Immunology”, on January 20 of this year and is currently in the experimental phase of the laboratory, having been tested only on animals, and although no tests have yet been performed in humans, experts argue that has enormous potential for success. “That gives us hope against this disease”, said Dr. León.

Dr. Mauricio León
Surgical Oncologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma