Killing cancer cells with skin cells

Recently scientists at Oxford University have successfully developed a method to transform skin cells into special immune cells capable of detecting cancer cells.

The study has just been published in the journal Gene Therapy, which opens up the prospect of treating patients with their own skin cancer.

Scientists have transformed skin cells into dendritic cells, cells with special immunity.

Dr. Paul Fairchild works at the Stem Cell Institute at Oxford University, saying dendritic cells can detect Melan A antigens, the only antigen of cancer cells and send signals that require tons of immune systems. Work on these deadly cells.

Experiments show that dendritic cells also have the ability to activate immune cells to produce antibodies and kill other cells.

However, Paul Fairchild admitted: 'Treatment with this method is still a distant prospect. The cost and method of producing safe stem cells are two major barriers. '

Previously his team had created thorn cells from the patient's blood; But this method is not successful because these cells are eliminated by the immune system.