Charged Immune Cells Beat Back Cancer

Scientists in the United States have created super-charged immune cells that helped beat back cancer tumours in half of a small group of patients tested, according to a study. Adding an artificial receptor to T-lymphocyte immune cells boosted their ability to fight a deadly form of caner called neuroblastoma, the researchers reported on Sunday.

Neuroblastoma attacks the nervous system. While fairly rare, it accounts for 7 percent of all childhood cancers, and 15 percent of non-adult cancer deaths.

In more than sixty percent of cases, it is not diagnosed until it has already spread to other parts of the body. Read more