As many diseases aren’t coupled with effective treatments, many researchers have shifted their work to focus on new ways to cure these seemingly “impossible” cases. This has led many researchers to look into the body’s natural defenses in an attempt to find a cure. Two specific facets of the body’s immune system that are being studied and tested today against many incurable diseases are T cells and Dendritic cells. One research team from Japan has begun testing T cell therapy on mice in an attempt to find a way for the human body to fight against tumor growth. Within this study, engineered T cells were used in an attempt to eradicate solid tumors in mice.
The experiment described above is one of many that are currently being conducted around the world in order to further research CAR-T cell therapy. Within this type of therapy, T cells are collected from a patient blood sample and placed together with CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) molecules before being placed back within the patient’s body. The hope is that the CAR molecules will allow the T cells to recognize cancer-specific antigens found on tumors and kill the identified antigens. Within the experiment, it was recorded that none of the subjects experienced adverse effects, marking it as a possible option for tumor treatment that isn’t as harsh on the body. While many researchers continue to research T cell immunotherapy and what it could mean for curing cancer, others have begun to focus on the dendritic cells of the body and their healing powers. For example, a therapeutic dendritic cell vaccine against HIV was recently tested and was shown to decrease the presence of the virus in those who had received the treatment.
Much like with the T cell therapy, the dendritic cells used in the HIV experiment were engineered to be more effective against the disorder it was attempting to cure. The dendritic cells within this experiment were myeloid derived-dendritic cells (MD-DC) meaning that the cells came from bone marrow within the human body. The vaccine used during the trial was composed of the MD-DC, inactivated HIV, and interferon-alpha. The experiment included 36 males who had HIV, only 14 of which received the vaccine. Of the 14 that received the vaccine, none showed any adverse side effects and all showed a decrease in the virus’s presence within their bodies. As more research is done using Dendritic cells, T cells, and other aspects of one’s immune system, it is important to note the incredible healing powers the human body contains.
References
Balbi, Amanda. “Therapeutic Dendritic Cell Vaccine Against HIV Shows Promise.” Infectious Diseases Consultant, HMP Global, 29 Mar. 2020, https://www.consultant360.com/exclusive/infectious-diseases/therapeutic-dendritic-cell-vaccine-against-hiv-shows-promise.
eLife. “Novel cell-based cancer immunotherapy shows promise in early studies.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 March 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200331130006.htm>.
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