Daily Current Affairs : 17-November-2023

Scientists at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in California have achieved a remarkable milestone in cancer research, uncovering a potential ‘kill switch’ that triggers the demise of cancer cells. This groundbreaking discovery holds the promise of advancing cancer treatments and improving outcomes for patients.

Identification of CD95 Receptors:

The key to this breakthrough lies in the identification of a protein on a receptor, specifically CD95 receptors or Fas. These receptors, when activated, have the potential to induce self-destruction in cancer cells. This finding opens new doors for targeted therapies aimed at manipulating these receptors to combat various forms of cancer.

Integration with CAR T-Cell Therapy:

The discovered protein on CD95 receptors is an integral component of CAR T-cell therapy. This innovative treatment involves the extraction of T cells from a patient’s blood, followed by genetic modification in a laboratory setting to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The modified cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body, where they can effectively target and destroy cancer cells.

Successes and Challenges of CAR T-Cell Therapy:

While CAR T-cell therapy has exhibited significant success in treating liquid cancers like leukemia, its effectiveness against solid tumors, including those in the breast, lung, and bowel, has been limited. Despite this challenge, the research team remains optimistic about the therapy’s potential evolution to effectively target solid cancers in the future.

Targeting Fas in Tumors:

The identified epitope on CD95 receptors paves the way for a potential therapeutic approach to target Fas in tumors. This targeted strategy holds the key to overcoming the current limitations of CAR T-cell therapy, offering hope for enhanced efficacy against a broader spectrum of cancer types.

Important Points:
  • Breakthrough Discovery:
    • Scientists at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center identify a ‘kill switch’ for cancer cells.
    • Protein on CD95 receptors (Fas) discovered, capable of inducing self-destruction in cancer cells.
  • CAR T-Cell Therapy Integration:
    • CAR T-cell therapy involves:
      • Extraction of T cells from patient’s blood.
      • Genetic modification in a lab to create chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).
      • Reintroduction of modified cells into the patient’s body.
  • Therapeutic Potential:
    • CD95 receptor protein identified as a crucial component in CAR T-cell therapy.
    • Success seen against liquid cancers (leukemia) but limited efficacy against solid tumors (breast, lung, bowel).
  • Hope for the Future:
    • Despite challenges, researchers are optimistic about the therapy evolving to target solid cancers effectively.
    • Identified epitope on CD95 receptors offers a potential therapeutic path to target Fas in tumors.
  • Challenges and Opportunities:
    • CAR T-cell therapy faces limitations in treating solid tumors.
    • Ongoing research aims to overcome these challenges and broaden the therapy’s applicability.
  • Implications for Cancer Treatment:
    • The ‘kill switch’ discovery represents a significant advancement in cancer research.
    • Integration of this finding into CAR T-cell therapy holds the potential for more effective and targeted cancer treatments.
Why In News

Scientists from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in California have made a significant breakthrough by discovering a ‘kill switch’ that triggers the death of cancer cells, paving the way for innovative and targeted therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment.

MCQs about The Breakthrough ‘Kill Switch’ for Cancer Cells

  1. What did scientists at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center discover?
    A. A new type of cancer cell
    B. A ‘kill switch’ triggering cancer cell death
    C. A groundbreaking vaccine
    D. An advanced imaging technique
    Correct Answer: B. A ‘kill switch’ triggering cancer cell death
    Explanation: Scientists discovered a ‘kill switch’ on CD95 receptors that can induce self-destruction in cancer cells.
  2. What is the key component of CAR T-cell therapy ?
    A. Antibiotics
    B. Genetic modification of T cells
    C. Chemotherapy
    D. Radiation therapy
    Correct Answer: B. Genetic modification of T cells
    Explanation: CAR T-cell therapy involves genetic modification of T cells in a lab.
  3. Against which type of cancer has CAR T-cell therapy shown significant success?
    A. Breast cancer
    B. Lung cancer
    C. Leukemia
    D. Bowel cancer
    Correct Answer: C. Leukemia
    Explanation: CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated promising efficacy against liquid cancers like leukemia.
  4. What does the identified epitope on CD95 receptors offer in terms of cancer treatment?
    A. A potential vaccine
    B. A therapeutic path to target Fas in tumors
    C. An advanced imaging technique
    D. A new chemotherapy drug
    Correct Answer: B. A therapeutic path to target Fas in tumors
    Explanation: The identified epitope on CD95 receptors offers a potential therapeutic path to target Fas in tumors.

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