Tumors damage the immune system

Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, Seattle, USA have discovered how tumors act to disable the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells.

Cancer cells produce a lot of protein (Photo: BBC) They found that at the end, cancer cells produce a protein capable of paralyzing the beneficial effect - protecting the body - of the immune system .

Instead of encouraging the immune system to function - destroying the "enemy", proteins produced by cancer cells prevent the immune system from attacking cancer tumors.

The cancer produces many types of abnormal cells. They play different roles in the development process. Some types of cancer cells grow fast. Other types neutralize the immune system's effects.

Seattle research team discovered a protein that alters the role of a beneficial immune system cell called T-helper cells. During the stage of a new cancer, T cells help destroy the cancer agent. .

Due to the influence of the osmotic substance from the secreted protein, the T cell transforms into a deterrent against the immune system.

Researchers have not understood the reason for this transformation. But Professor Thomas Spies, the lead researcher, said it would soon find a protein capable of blocking tumors to produce osmosis and activate the antitumor role of the immune system.

KHANG LINH