Cancer drug prevents transplant rejection

Swedish scientists have identified an older generation of cancer drugs that can be used to prevent transplantation cell rejection.

Lund University researchers say the finding could lead to new treatments for both transplant patients and those with autoimmune diseases.

Discovering new effects of Zebularine - (Photo: Dawn)

'Our team studied the efficacy of Zebularine cancer drugs , prepared in the United States in the 1960s, and happened to find it had an unexpected effect on the immune system,' said Professor Leif Salford.

'It turns out Zebularine is able to alleviate the immune system's response. This effect may play a role in organ or tissue transplants , 'said Professor Salford.

Meanwhile, a member of the team, Dr. Henrietta Nittby, also thought about the possibility of using this drug to prevent the body from attacking its own cells in autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes. Type 1 or chronic arthritis.

Now researchers are trying to perfect the treatment, and the next step is to "teach" specific cells in the immune system to accept the proteins in Zebularine, according to the PLOS ONE report.