‘Kill Switch’ to eliminate Cancer Cells

Source– This post is based on the article “In major breakthrough, scientists discover ‘kill switch’ that can eliminate cancer cells” published in “Wion” on 14th November 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently scientists from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, California discovered a ‘kill switch’ that triggers the death of cancer cells.

What is the ‘Kill Switch’?

1. Scientists have identified Kill Switch, as a protein on a receptor that can be designed to kill cancer cells.
2. Scientists have identified this protein on a receptor CD95 (CD95 receptors-also known as ‘fas’) .

What are the key findings of the discovery of kill switch?

1. Kill Switch reside on cell membranes.

2. Kill Switch can be designed to induce self-destruction in cancer cells when activated.

What is the Significance of this discovery?

1. Discovery is part of CAR T- cell therapy, involving the collection of T cells from the patient’s blood, genetic modification in a lab to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and then injecting the modified cells back into the patient’s body.

2. The therapy has shown promising efficacy against liquid cancers like leukaemia.

3. Limitation– It has demonstrated limited success against solid tumours such as breast, lung, and bowel cancer.

4. Future– The research team is hopeful that the therapy can evolve to target solid cancers in the future. The identified epitope on CD95 receptors offers a potential therapeutic path to target ‘Fas’ in tumours.

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