Japanese researchers are turning to reprogrammed killer cells to fight cancer by targeting specific cancer cells in the body. However, these killer cells may also have unintended side effects. Despite decades of research into the treatment and cure of cancer, the widespread disease is still not 100% curable. Instead of chemotherapy or medication, Japanese researchers are focusing on reprogrammed killer cells that can target and kill cancer cells. Normal killer cells (T lymphocytes) are part of the human immune system, and their job is to kill foreign organisms or damaged cells. Killer cells have been the focus of cancer research for years because they can recognize damaged killer cells. However, the low number of natural killer cells and their short lifespan have hindered successful cancer treatment. The artificially produced killer cells of Japanese researchers give new hope because the researchers have significantly increased the lifespan of the cells.
For their study, the researchers used killer cells that can recognize a specific type of skin cancer cells. The T lymphocytes were first reprogrammed into iPS cells in the laboratory and then programmed into the new killer cells. The new killer cells have the same properties as natural killer cells, but with a significantly longer lifespan. The researchers hope that the modified cells can effectively fight cancer. However, the next step is to verify whether the killer cells can still detect and kill cancer cells in the human body and whether the modified cells have no impact on other healthy cells. If this is the case, the cells could be injected directly into patients for cancer therapy.
The process of cell reprogramming was established by Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012. Although the production of iPS cells is now an established procedure, it is still very time-consuming. Another current study is investigating whether iPS cells do not cause changes in genetic material in the body. If the study shows that iPS cells alter DNA, the new killer cells could promote cancer instead of fighting it. Only when this is ruled out can the new killer cells be used for cancer therapy.
