A team of US researchers has developed a new immunotherapy technique that uses cytokine proteins as a potential treatment, effectively targeting tumours without causing harm to healthy cells.
Cytokines are small protein molecules that help control inflammation in the body. They are released by the body's immune cells to fight against cancer and improve treatment effectiveness.
The team from Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering developed the new technique which ensures that immune cell boosts cytokines which curbs tumour spread to other tissues or organs. It also preserved the cytokine’s structure and reactivity levels to not expose toxicity to the rest of the body.
“Cytokines are potent and highly effective at stimulating the immune cells to eliminate cancer cells,” said Rong Tong, associate professor in chemical engineering at Virginia Tech.
“The problem is they’re so potent that if they roam freely throughout the body, they’ll activate every immune cell they encounter, which can cause an overactive immune response and potentially fatal side effects,” he added.
In contrast, current cancer treatments such as chemotherapy cannot differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells, resulting in side effects like hair loss and fatigue, as it affects all cells in the body.
“Stimulating the body’s immune system to attack tumours is a promising alternative to treat cancer. The delivery of cytokines can jump-start immune cells in the tumour, but overstimulating healthy cells can cause severe side effects,” the researchers noted in the paper published in the journal Science Advances.
Massive crackdown in Manipur against Meitei radical group; 26 held
Various security forces in Manipur have launched massive crackdowns against the militants on Friday with as many as 26 cadres of the Meitei radical groups apprehended, officials said.
Manipur CS discusses with civil society organisations to understand locals' concerns
Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh on Monday held discussions with representatives of major civil society organisations (CSOs) of tribal-inhabited Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts to understand locals' concerns, officials said.
Eating veggies may reduce risk of liver cancer by 65 pc: Study
The study, led by researchers from the INSERM, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, focused on patients diagnosed with cirrhosis -- scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage.
Will continue to fight against illegal immigrants: Ex-Manipur CM
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Thursday that he would continue to fight against the illegal immigrants with unwavering commitment in every way as “our land and identity are under threat”.
Hectic parleys on in Manipur to choose leader a day after CM Biren Singh quits
A day after the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, hectic parleys were going on to choose an alternate leader of the ruling BJP legislature party who would lead the new government.
Manipur Police recover most arms, ammunition looted by militants on Feb 8
A day after armed cadres of the militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) looted several arms and a large quantity of ammunition from an outpost of the Manipur Rifles in the state's Thoubal district, the police personnel recovered most of the arms and ammunition and also arrested an extremist, an official said on Sunday.
Manipur CM Biren Singh resigns a day ahead of Assembly session
Around two years after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur and crippled the state, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla a day before the crucial Assembly session.