Summary:
New drugs have been found that may help the immune system in fighting against cancer. Some of these work better when used simultaneously rather than by themselves. The immune system does not see cancer cells as bad, therefore these cells are not fought off. These drugs help the immune system realize how bad these cells really are. The drugs have possible side effects, but it seems they are all curable. Only a fraction of tested patients have responded and benefited from the treatment, but those who have have survived several years longer. This treatment treats the immune system and not the cancer directly.
Relevance:
We will be learning about the immune system and how it fights off harmful things to keep us healthy. A few of the class presentations have been about cancer.
By Ron Winslow
May 15,2013
Why is the immune system unable to recognize cancer cells as harmful?
ReplyDeleteCancer cells cloak themselves by preventing T cells from doing their job.
DeleteWhat do these drugs target in your body? (Immune System?)
ReplyDeleteThey target specific proteins(PD1.
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