Using Body Defenses Against Cancer

• A study from Northwestern University reveals that white blood cells activated by severe COVID-19 can demonstrate cancer-fighting abilities.

• I-NCMs, a type of white blood cell, can slow cancer spread and attack cancer cells.

• A 2023 study described 16 cases involving different types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and kidney cancer.

• The study suggests that cancers can go away on their own, with neuroblastoma being a well-studied example.

• Immunotherapy, a promising approach to cancer treatment, aims to empower the body’s immune cells to fight back.

• I-NCMs, derived from monocytes, can be injected into mice to combat cancer metastasis.

• I-NCMs possess a unique receptor, CCR2, which detects signals emitted by cancer cells or inflamed tissues.

• I-NCMs play a crucial role in summoning natural killer (NK) cells to tumour sites.

• Another form of immunotherapy is the use of CAR-T, where the patient’s own T cells are reprogrammed in the lab and reintroduced into the body to attack the cancer.