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BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

DNA traces of ancient viruses may aid in fighting cancer: Study

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Apr 2023 12:04
2 Min Read

Infections of ancestors lying dormant in DNA can be stimulated to aid the immune system in attacking tumors.

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  • Petri dishes are pictured in an unknown location in a Cancer Research UK laboratory on an unknown date. (Reuters)
    Petri dishes pictured in an unknown location in a Cancer Research UK laboratory on an unknown date (Reuters)

A new study found that remnants of ancient viruses that have been passed down by humans over thousands or even millions of years may aid in the fight against cancer.

To understand why some patients respond to immunotherapy more favorably than others, researchers at the Francis Crick Institute were examining lung cancer, the biggest cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

They discovered through their study, which was just published in Nature, that malignant cells can trigger the dormant remnants of ancient cells. This could unintentionally assist the immune system in identifying and attacking the tumor.

The "fascinating" discoveries, according to scientists, could be used to improve cancer treatment or possibly prevent lung cancer in some cases.

The immune response in question featured white blood cells called B lymphocytes (B cells), which gathered near tumors. According to the researchers, this happens because cancer reactivates the viral DNA, which draws the immune system's attention.

"The immune system is tricked into believing that the tumor cells are infected and it tries to eliminate the virus, so it's sort of an alarm system," Professor George Kassiotis, head of the Laboratory of Retroviral Immunology at the Francis Crick Institute, said as quoted by a British media outlet.

Read next: New cancer treatment offers hope to patients out of options

  • ancient viruses
  • DNA
  • immune system
  • Cancer

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