How do scientists engineer T-cells for cancer treatment?

Scientists modify T-cells genetically to target cancer cells, remove self-attack mechanisms, and evade chemotherapy.

What is the 'invisibility cloak' in T-cell therapy?

It's a genetic modification that prevents engineered T-cells from being destroyed by chemotherapy drugs.

When is a bone marrow transplant needed after T-cell therapy?

A bone marrow transplant is performed if cancer remains undetectable after four weeks of T-cell treatment.

Home / Health / Scientists Engineer 'Super Soldiers' to Battle Cancer

Scientists Engineer 'Super Soldiers' to Battle Cancer

9 Dec

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Summary

T-cells are engineered to attack cancerous cells specifically.
A multi-step genetic modification ensures therapy's self-preservation.
Successful treatment leads to a bone marrow transplant.

Scientists Engineer 'Super Soldiers' to Battle Cancer

Scientists have developed a revolutionary T-cell therapy that engineers the body's own immune cells to fight cancer. This complex process involves genetically modifying T-cells to precisely target and eliminate cancerous cells while simultaneously protecting themselves from destruction.

The therapy involves multiple genetic edits. These include disabling the T-cells' natural targeting mechanism to prevent attacks on the patient's body, removing a specific marker (CD7) to avoid self-destruction, and creating an 'invisibility cloak' against chemotherapy drugs.

Once infused, these modified T-cells hunt any cell bearing the CD7 marker, effectively destroying cancer cells. If cancer is undetectable after four weeks of treatment, patients undergo a bone marrow transplant to rebuild their immune system, marking a significant advance in cancer treatment.