Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have developed a revolutionary method for fighting cancer by forcing tumor cells to attack themselves. The results of this promising study were published in the prestigious scientific journal Science, writes gazeta.ru.
The essence of the method is to reprogram cancer cells into a special type of immune cells – cDC1. These modified cells are capable of destroying the tumor’s protective barrier, opening access for T-lymphocytes to destroy malignant neoplasms.
The scientists Identified three key transcription factors that allow different types of cells to be transformed into cDC1. Viral vectors were used to deliver genetic material to the tumor barrier.
The effectiveness of the method was confirmed by a series of experiments. First, the reprogrammed cells were successfully tested by introducing them into tumor tissue in a Petri dish. Then the studies were repeated on mice, where the combination of the new method with immunotherapy showed impressive results in suppressing the growth and spread of tumors.
Remarkably, the treatment also stimulated an increase in T cells, providing protection against tumor recurrence in the test animals.
To assess the potential of the method for treating people, the researchers conducted successful tests on human cells in the laboratory.
The scientists believe that their new method could be a real breakthrough in cancer treatment.
