Research against cancer with Laurence Zitvogel

[Christophe]

Paris Match number 2962 of 23/2/2006 sorry for the reference ... but difficult to find info about this subject.

Cancer. Hopes for a new killer molecule.

Professor Laurence Zitvogel, from the Gustave-Roussy Institute in Villejuif, explains the hopes aroused by the identification, in the immune system, of a new molecule that directly kills cancer cells.

Can you explain to us how our immune system works?

This body's defense system is made up of different types of cells. 1 Macrophage monocytes. These cells (white blood cells) are the first to arrive at the site invaded by tumor cells and will immediately secrete certain substances (kinds of flags) intended to attract the attention of soldier cells of the immune system. 2 Dendritics, “educating” cells of killer lymphocytes that go into battle. 3 Nk lymphocytes (“natural killers”) which, at the signal given, attack tumor cells (or other foreign elements such as viruses) to destroy them within hours of the intrusion. 4 T lymphocytes, a kind of sentinel cell that keep the enemy's memory and are ready to alert army soldiers as soon as they reappear. These lymphocytes can kill, but this time only after a certain delay: about 10 days. 5 B cells that keep guard - by antibodies.

Many other cells make up the immune system, but it would be tedious to name them all. It is only necessary to know that all these immune cells are capable of secreting substances (cykotine, interferon ...) of capital interest for the communication of the immune cells between them.

Why, in the event of proven cancer, our immune system fails to eradicate it?

In any biological process, there is a balance between positive and negative signals. As soon as the first cancer cells form, competition begins between the malignant cells that multiply and the immune system. The problem is that these very intelligent cancer cells immediately make a friend inside the body, a spy lymphocyte: the “regulator” T, which unfortunately considers cancer cells as healthy tissue. These T lymphocytes, in the event of cancer, reproduce much faster and block the action of killer lymphocytes, preventing them from acting against malignant cells. At some point, it is cancer that wins and proliferates. These spy cells use a lethal weapon: a substance present in the body called “Tgf beta”.

What new defense molecules have you discovered with your team?

We have highlighted in the mouse immune system a new hybrid cell that belongs to the dendritic family. But this time, instead of being an educator for killer lymphocytes, this cell is able to kill cancer cells directly. It is the first cell of our defense system that can both migrate directly to the cancerous element, recognize it and destroy it in four hours. This new killer cell called “Ikdc” (a real bazooka!) Recognizes up to 70% of tumor cells, while Nk lymphocytes recognize only a minority! It secretes a real poison for spy lymphocytes: a substance from the interferon family. In theory, it is therefore an excellent defense weapon that does not need any help. Unfortunately, this Ikdc cell is rare: 1 per 1 circulating white blood cells, and it is this rarity which explains why they have so far been unable to win the game.

What studies have been done with these Ikdc cells?

Two kinds of tests have been carried out. The researchers first compared two groups of mice with melanomas. The first received approximately 30 Ikdc cells by injection into the tumor. The second was treated with 000 Nk Twenty days later, by Ikdc, we could observe, on the ten mice treated, the disappearance of the tumors. In the other group, the cancers had progressed and already killed several mice. During the second test, we didn't just inject Ikdc cells, we wanted to cause them to multiply inside the body of mice with melanomas that have already metastasized to the lungs. To obtain this proliferation of Ikdc, the animals were administered two anticancer products: Glivec and Interleukin II. After a fortnight, the researchers found that the pulmonary metastases of the treated mice had disappeared while, in the control group, the metastases had largely invaded the lungs. After this observation, an analysis under the microscope of the lungs was carried out, revealing a massive presence of these new killer cells: the Ikdc. We therefore have proof that the combination of Glivec and Interleukin II leads to a tremendous multiplication of these new weapons. of the immune system.

Are we sure that these Ikdc are also present in humans?

The hypothesis that these cells also exist in humans constitutes a major hope in oncology (important biological phenomena are preserved in mammals). The researchers hope that the combination of Glivec and Interleukin II will allow the amplification of Ikdc in humans. A clinical trial will begin soon, on the one hand in patients with ovarian cancer resistant to usual chemotherapy, on the other hand in patients with gastrointestinal sarcoma resistant to treatment with Glivec alone.

For research on Ikdc in cancers, send your donations to Pr Laurence Zitvogel, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39, rue Camille-Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex (checks made payable to Igr).

Author: Sabine de la Brosse

source: http://www.parismatch.com/rubriques/lir ... cle_id=847

More information : http://www.curie.fr/home/presse/jic_art ... le/334.htm

[Christophe]

Little note:

The team is waiting for funding to continue its research ... I find it quite shameful to have to run for the grant in the case of such discoveries ...

And I don't know pkoi but it reminds me of the research carried out on the reconstruction of the spinal cord a few years ago: we had managed to redo "walk" a mouse whose spinal cord had been voluntarily severed. Then we haven't heard about it since ...

I remember that the team that had discovered this was working in a public research organization and in premises where plaster was starting to run out on the walls ... quite lamentable ... and to compare with the research conditions of pharmaceutical laboratories. ... Would these differences come from the fact that a sick person brings in more than a healthy person?

I do not know in any case I am not at all confident for the continuation of these experiences against cancer ...

[nonoLeRobot]

Even if a lot of things are similar, a mouse and a man, it's still very different it's not so easy to switch from one to the other.

That said there are still apparently conclusive tests on humans (But not in France !!!):
http://www.asso-alarme.com/la-recherche ... erche.html


As far as the problem of research funding is concerned, that is why the researchers had demonstrated, to avoid having research that only focus on short-term (financial) results. But without great results in view of the law passed a month ago
http://recherche-en-danger.apinc.org/ar ... ticle=1254

[lau]

This kind of news maintains hope and tries to show that researchers are looking for and can find something, so to your good heart, give for research! ... it's been 60 years that we hear the same song, that the the number of "cases" is as important as the inability to be able to cure them with certainty.
Like pantone, tesla or chambrin which have been crushed by lobbies to the detriment of the environment, the medical world abéme to identical financial imperatives, I stop there I would have too much to say!

[SOURCEVERTE59]

obviously Christophe and Lau

even if there are people of quality to advance the

things in a positive sense for the good of everyone, if the good

of each is not part of the benefits of a few

no chance it will emerge, the whole building of this world is fighting

on the currency, apart from that if something appears for

question the interests of installing it properly,

it is not good at all for those who seek and find.