The body won't stop fighting: scientists are exploring a new cancer treatment method.

Chronic diseases, such as cancer and prolonged infections, can weaken the immune system, making it less effective in combating these and other illnesses. A study conducted by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre identified a rare type of immune cell known as stem T-cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining the activity of the immune system over extended periods, according to eCancer.

Stem T-cells, unlike regular T-cells, possess a unique ability to renew themselves and resist exhaustion, which is one of the major challenges in treating chronic diseases. The study's findings, published in the journal Science Immunology, discuss the protein ID3, which is responsible for maintaining the strength of these cells.

The researchers' scientific work demonstrated that ID3+ T-cells have a significantly greater survival capability than other T-cells, making them particularly valuable in the fight against prolonged infections and cancer. Katarina Gago da Grasa, a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and one of the first authors of the study, explained that these cells are capable of sustaining a robust immune response over long periods, thereby reducing the likelihood of immune exhaustion.

This is important because, in diseases such as cancer, the immune system often becomes too weak to continue the fight. By ensuring the activity of these cells, the body can maintain reliable protection over extended periods. Another key discovery in the study was that certain signals in the body can increase the number of ID3+ T-cells. This could enhance treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, which is used to target and destroy cancer cells.

Although CAR T therapy has been successful in some cases, its effectiveness often diminishes over time due to immune exhaustion. By boosting ID3 activity, researchers believe they can strengthen T-cells and make this therapy more durable. Professor Ricky Johnston, executive director of cancer research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and one of the study's authors, noted that understanding how to stimulate ID3+ T-cells could lead to the development of more effective cancer treatment strategies.

In addition to improving oncology treatment methods, these research findings could contribute to the development of stronger immunotherapeutic agents and vaccines. Dr. Daniel Utzschneider, head of a laboratory at the Doherty Institute, stated that overcoming immune exhaustion remains one of the biggest hurdles in treating chronic diseases. He emphasized that by harnessing the potential of these stem T-cells, scientists could create vaccines and therapies that provide long-lasting protection against diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a physician.