Australian researchers have discovered a groundbreaking treatment for deadly childhood sarcomas using engineered immune cells. The innovative therapy targets aggressive tumors that have seen no survival rate improvements in 40 years. Led by the University of Queensland, the study offers hope for patients with limited treatment options. The research potentially extends beyond pediatric cancers, showing promise for other difficult-to-treat diseases like triple-negative breast cancer.
"This
is a significant step forward towards a novel therapy" - Wayne Nicholls,
UQ Researcher
Australian
research offers new treatment hope for deadly childhood cancers
Australian
researchers have developed a new treatment for deadly childhood cancer using
engineered immune cells.
Key
Points
1
Engineered immune cells target aggressive childhood sarcoma tumors
2
Treatment could revolutionize pediatric cancer management
3
Research offers first new approach in four decades
4 Potential applications beyond childhood cancers
The research, published on Wednesday, was led by a team from the
University of Queensland (UQ) that developed a new therapeutic strategy for
paediatric sarcomas, Xinhua news agency reported.
Sarcomas
are cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including muscles, fat,
and blood vessels. In children, the tumours tend to grow aggressively and
spread throughout the body, making treatment difficult.
According
to the new study, sarcomas account for 5-10 per cent of all childhood cancers
but are responsible for more deaths than brain cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia,
and lymphoma.
The
new treatment uses engineered immune cells -- also known as "killer
cells" that have been modified to recognise and respond to disease -- to
target and destroy sarcoma tumours.
Wayne
Nicholls, a co-author of the study from UQ's Ian Frazer Centre for Children's
Immunotherapy Research, said that sarcoma is the biggest killer of people aged
10-30 and that there has been no improvement in survival rates for 40 years.
"At
the moment, there are really no novel therapies available for paediatric solid
tumours. This is a significant step forward towards a novel therapy that could be
used for patients," he said.
Fernando
Guimaraes, Associate Professor at UQ's Frazer Institute said that the
breakthrough has the potential to be lifesaving for many patients.
"These
cancers have a very limited number of interventions. We really haven't had any
new treatments in the past four decades,'' Guimaraes said.
The
treatment could also have an impact on other hard-to-cure diseases such as
triple-negative breast cancer, said the team. The research is published in
Clinical and Translational Medicine.
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