Oh, that potentially includes the cure to cancer too.
Kill several cancer cells
A group of British scientists have reportedly discovered a new type of immune cell that kills most cancers - by accident.According to a report by The Telegraph, the accidental discovery happened when Cardiff University researchers were analysing blood from a Wales bank to determine immune cells that could fight bacteria.
They reportedly discovered a new type of T-cell that carries a receptor that latches onto human cancers but ignores healthy cells.
In fact, the receptor is said to be capable of killing several cancers, including lung, skin, blood, colon, breast, bone, prostate, ovarian, kidney and cervical cancer.
Wow!
The findings were published in the journal Nature Immunology.
The study’s lead author, Professor Andrew Sewell, told the news site said the findings raises the prospect of ‘one-size-fits-all’ cancer treatment where a single type of T-cell can destroy many different types of cancers across the population.
Sewell said that the immune cell could either be "quite rare," or it could be that many people have it but somehow “it is not activated."
According to Sewell, the team will be undergoing more research on the T-cell as the "right people" are interested in developing the therapy. In fact, human trials on terminally ill patients could begin by the end of the year if all goes well.
Keep your fingers crossed, guys!