Cancer Immune Cells
By: Rachelle Marchia, KGET
Updated: January 29, 2013
"They were able to harness the ability to collect specialized cells in the immune system, train them, and reactivate the individual's immune system to then attack prostate cancer cells," explained Dr. Patel.
The FDA-approved treatment is called Provenge. In about three hours, immune cells are pulled, separated and collected. Those cells are sent to a lab, where they are trained outside the body to absorb proteins common to prostate cancer. They are injected back into the body and train other cells what they've learned, to target and eliminate prostate cancer cells. It's using your own immune system to target cancer. The cells are just getting some help to know what exactly to look for. It's much like when authorities put out a 'wanted' poster when they are looking for a criminal.
"That's a good way to put it," said Dr. Patel. "You know, you have a 'wanted' poster, but there are so many guys with blue eyes and black eyes, but this is the particular guy we are looking for, you know."
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