Wiltshire breast cancer survivor welcomes 'exciting' research findings
Scientists have discovered cells that can hunt down cancer in the body
A woman from Wiltshire who survived breast cancer has welcomed new research that could transform how the illness is treated.
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, (ICR) have found that some immune cells can hunt down cancer in the body, opening up the possibility of personalised treatments for advanced breast cancer.
Their study found immune B cells have features that make the capable of targeting tumours, including when cancer spread around the body.
They've created a tool which allows these anti-cancer cells to be identified, meaning personal immunotherapies could be improved.
Immunotherapy uses someone's own immune system to fight cancer, and works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
Dr Stephen-John Sammut, first author on the study and leader of the Cancer Dynamics Group at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, (ICR) said: "Once cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it's often much more difficult to treat.
"Our research has revealed that the immune response to cancer isn't limited to the site where a tumour initially appears - if an immune B cell is successful at detecting cancer in one part of the body, it will search for similar cancer cells elsewhere in the body."
Findings a 'game-changer' says Salisbury survivor
Salisbury's Christine Taylor has battled cancer for over 20 years and says the research could be a game-changer.
She told Greatest Hits Radio: "I think teaching your body how to sort of hunt for it as well for any other rogue cells that might be around you, it will be very focused and very targeted is a really exciting piece of research."
Christine, who now volunteers with Cancer Support Salisbury, said her treatment, which included surgery and chemotherapy, had been 'gruelling'.
"It was a whole body kind of experience which meant that the side effects were pretty horrendous.
"And if I'm very honest and I felt more, I'll with the treatment than I did actually from the cancer because I was almost unaware of the cancer at the time," she said.
She hopes that improved treatments lead to a reduction in the time treatment takes, as well as making it a slightly friendlier experience.
Christine's had her cancer return on a couple of occasions, but she's been able to over come them. However, she said this particular treatment would be helpful for her.
And she's hopeful it could help access new treatment for other cancers and illnesses.
"Once you start that the rolling, it's only going to open the door, surely, to think about other diseases.
"If it's your own body being able to train to track things and actually attack it, why not?" she said.