How a Tiny “Bug” Can Stop Cancer in its Tracks as a Vaccine
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a single-celled parasite that is happiest in a cat’s intestines, but it can live in any warm blooded animal. Found worldwide, T. gondii affects about one-third of the world’s population, 60 million of which are Americans. Most people have no symptoms, but some experience a flu-like illness. Those with suppressed immune systems, however, can develop a serious infection if they are unable to fend off T. gondii.
An Anti-Cancer Agent in Nature?
A healthy immune system responds vigorously to T. gondii in a manner that parallels how the immune system attacks a tumor.
“We know biologically this parasite has figured out how to stimulate the exact immune responses you want to fight cancer,” said David J. Bzik, PhD, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
In response to T. gondii, the body produces natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells. These cell types wage war against cancer cells. Cancer can shut down the body’s defensive mechanisms, but introducing T. gondii into a tumor environment can jump start the immune system.
Read more . . .
The Latest on: Cancer immunotherapy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Cancer immunotherapy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Cancer immunotherapy
- Supercharging immune cells to battle blood cancer: breakthrough in cancer immunotherapyon May 8, 2024 at 10:42 pm
A new study reveals a groundbreaking approach to immunotherapy, demonstrating that blocking the interaction between the CD300A receptor and ...
- Biotech CEL-SCI gets FDA go-ahead to conduct investigational cancer immunotherapy studyon May 8, 2024 at 11:18 am
Listen to this article CEL-SCI Corporation, the Vienna, Virginia-based biotechnology company with operations in Baltimore, Wednesday received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ...
- Can Vitamin D Improve Cancer Immunotherapy?on May 8, 2024 at 6:30 am
Your diet could impact your cancer treatment’s progress; a new preclinical study suggests more vitamin D could improve responses to checkpoint inhibitors.
- Researchers generate direct measurement of interaction between immune cells and cancer cells from a patient's biopsyon May 7, 2024 at 10:08 am
The pioneering biological research and development measures changes in immune system cells adjacent to cancer cells, providing crucial insights into the patient's immune response and potentially ...
- New mRNA cancer vaccine helps immune system fight deadly brain tumorson May 7, 2024 at 8:23 am
Researchers from the University of Florida have developed a new mRNA cancer vaccine to retrain the body's immune system to attack and potentially treat glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer.
- Study Uncovers a Cause of Cancer Immunotherapy Roadblockson May 7, 2024 at 1:46 am
A study led by Yale scientists, investigated the potential causes associated with T cell exclusion using a genome-wide screen of more than 1,000 human proteins.
- Study uncovers at least one cause of roadblocks to cancer immunotherapyon May 6, 2024 at 9:39 am
T cells—the body's foot soldiers against invaders, ranging from everyday infections to cancers—are integral to many successful immunotherapies. However, a frustrating factor is that immunotherapies do ...
- Fighting Cancer: A Basic Guide To Checkpoint Inhibitorson May 6, 2024 at 6:30 am
People with cancer may encounter checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment option but may not know where to start. This article can help you learn more.
- Many Patients With Advanced MCC Not Receiving Immunotherapyon May 5, 2024 at 9:36 pm
Despite improved survival rates and guideline recommendations, many eligible patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma are not receiving immunotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: A Beacon of Hope in Cancer Treatmenton May 4, 2024 at 2:25 pm
Cancer, a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries, has finally met its match in immunotherapy, a revolutionary treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to combat this deadly ...
via Bing News