It is undoubtedly exciting to discover an early diagnosis tool such as the CancerSEEK blood test that could give physicians and their patients just the edge they need to treat cancer early on, potentially improving outcomes. It is just as exciting, however, to learn of the cancer destroying injections that the Stanford University School of Medicine tested.

This new discovery, published in Science Translational Medicine, tested a new cancer destroying injection in mice. This targeted injection provides the malignant tumor a small dose of two agents that stimulate the body’s immune response – effectively triggering the body to destroy the tumor. What’s more is that using this method can “teach” immune cells how to fight against that specific type of cancer, allowing them to target the cancer throughout the body.

The Senior study author, Dr. Ronald Levy states, “When we use these two agents together, we see the elimination of tumors all over the body.”

Cohut, M. (2018, February 01). One injection could kill cancer. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320786.php

The two agents involved were a TLR9 ligand, CpG oligonucleotide, synthetic DNA that boosts the T cells’ ability to express a receptor called OX40 and an antibody that binds to the receptor and activates the T cells. Basically, these two agents worked together to mobilize the immune cells (T cells) to recognize and destroy their target. They then begin their mission to identify, hunt down and destroy the other tumors. In the study involving the mice, 87 out of 90 mice became cancer free after utilizing this injection against lymphoma. Similar results were seen with mice concerning breast, colon and skin cancer.

There is also hope that this breakthrough will break clinical trial ground sooner as well, since one of the agents involved has already been approved for use in human therapy while the other is under clinical trial for lymphoma treatment.

Using this in conjunction with the minimally invasive early detection test, CancerSeek, could open up entirely new frontiers in the cancer treatment world. I am truly optimistic about these findings and the potential they have to improve outcomes and survival rates.

Next up in the most interesting medical studies of 2018 – can drinking a solution of baking soda and water really help improve arthritis? It might be more than just a wive’s tale!