According to scientists at the University of Birmingham, the immune system of patients who suffer from leukemia could be engineered. The scientists discovered there was lack of immune response to certain proteins that can be restored threw stem cells transplants. The discovery may even eventually lead to a vaccination against leukemia for at risk groups who are found to be lacking the necessary immune response.
The Birmingham researchers identified 95 phosphopeptides from leukemia samples, taken directly from patients.
Dr Mark Cobbold, from the School of Immunity and Infection at the University of Birmingham, said: “This is the first study to identify phosphorylated tumor antigens that are present on patient tumor samples and also the first study to look at immune responses to this new group of antigens in humans. We were surprised to see that healthy individuals had immunity to these antigens. It could be that just as our immune system fights off infections on a daily basis, it is also fighting cells that develop mutations that could lead to cancer”.
Professor Chris Bunce, Research Directorat Leukemia & Lymphoma Research, which part funded the study, said: “Stem cell transplants can offer leukemia patients the chance of a complete cure but they are not always successful and can have severe side-effects. By pinpointing key antigens, some of which are found only on the surface of leukemia cells, this research could lead to new ways of modifying patients' own immune systems to attack only leukemia cells or even stop them from developing in the first place”.
No comments:
Post a Comment