California: A deadly ‘switch’ that kills cancer cells could pave the way for new cancer treatments, scientists say.
American researchers have discovered a part of a protein on the outside of cancer cells that can kill those cells when activated.
According to experts, the research results could give doctors the ability to change existing therapies. For example, this discovery could enable cART-cell therapy to fight solid tumors (such as breast, lung and prostate cancer).
Modern therapy involves giving cancer patients specially engineered T-cells that seek out and destroy tumors.
Dr. Jogendra Tushir-Singh of the University of California, Davis, said that these cells have difficulty against solid tumors because immune cells cannot penetrate these tumors to have an effect.
CD95 receptors are located outside the membrane of cancer cells. When activated, these release signals that cause cells to self-destruct.
Scientists have known about these receptors for a long time, but attempts to activate them have been unsuccessful.
Researchers at the university’s Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a part of the receptor that can trigger cell destruction when targeted.
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