A new technique could have been found to assist those struggling with cancer. It is reported that the new technique could be quicker, have less side effects and may even be more effective than current treatments.
Stem cell technology is now at the stage where experts believe that by taking white blood cells, transforming them into stem cells then reprogramming them, they can be used to help the patient fight the cancer cells. What makes this more impressive than current methods is the ability for the patient to use their own immune system to tackle the cancer.
Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK said "It specifically targets the tumour cells and leaves the healthy ones alone, meaning it comes without any of the side effects with treatments like chemotherapy, which can be harsh for patients. It’s another piece in the jigsaw and has huge potential benefits for the future.”
Lead researcher Dr Michel Sadelain, of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, added: “This is very specific to the cancer cells themselves. This means fewer side effects and secondly, because they stay in the body, they are ‘living drugs’ and once present move around and stop recurrences.”
Treatment is expected to be available within the next 8 years
Stay Healthy!
Stem cell technology is now at the stage where experts believe that by taking white blood cells, transforming them into stem cells then reprogramming them, they can be used to help the patient fight the cancer cells. What makes this more impressive than current methods is the ability for the patient to use their own immune system to tackle the cancer.
Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK said "It specifically targets the tumour cells and leaves the healthy ones alone, meaning it comes without any of the side effects with treatments like chemotherapy, which can be harsh for patients. It’s another piece in the jigsaw and has huge potential benefits for the future.”
Lead researcher Dr Michel Sadelain, of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, added: “This is very specific to the cancer cells themselves. This means fewer side effects and secondly, because they stay in the body, they are ‘living drugs’ and once present move around and stop recurrences.”
Treatment is expected to be available within the next 8 years
Stay Healthy!
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