World first as scientists create cancer-killing cells that can be injected into patients

The cells naturally occur in the body in small numbers
But it's hoped injecting huge quantities back into a patient could turbo-charge the immune system
Japanese researchers say the development paves the way for the new cancer and HIV treatments

PUBLISHED: 17:18 GMT, 3 January 2013 | UPDATED: 19:13 GMT, 3 January 2013

Scientists have created cells capable of killing cancer for the first time.

The dramatic breakthrough was made by researchers in Japan who created cancer-specific killer T cells.

They say the development paves the way for the cells being directly injected into cancer patients for therapy.

Scientists have created cells capable of killing cancer for the first time. Pictured: microscopic cells being cultured to kill cancer

The cells naturally occur in small numbers, but it is hoped injecting huge quantities back into a patient could turbo-charge the immune system.

Researchers at the RIKEN Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology revealed they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes.

To create these, the team first had to reprogramme T lymphocytes specialised in killing a certain type of cancer, into another type of cell called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).

These iPS cells then generated fully active, cancer-specific T lymphocytes.

These lymphocytes regenerated from iPS cells could potentially serve as cancer therapy in the future.

Previous research has shown that killer T lymphocytes produced in the lab using conventional methods are inefficient in killing cancer cells mainly because they have a very short life-span, which limits their use as treatment for cancer.

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To overcome the problems, the Japanese researchers, led by Hiroshi Kawamoto reprogrammed mature human killer T lymphocytes into iPS cells and investigated how these cells differentiate.

The team induced killer T lymphocytes specific for a certain type of skin cancer to reprogramme into iPS cells by exposing the lymphocytes to the 'Yamanaka factors' - a group of compounds that induce cells to revert back to a non-specialised, stage.

Japanese researchers who created cancer-specific killer T cells (pictured) say the development paves the way for the cells being directly injected into cancer patients for therapy

The iPS cells obtained were then grown in the lab and induced to differentiate into killer T lymphocytes again. This new batch of T lymphocytes was shown to be specific for the same type of skin cancer as the original lymphocytes.

They maintained the genetic reorganisation, enabling them to express the cancer-specific receptor on their surface. The new T lymphocytes were also shown to be active and to produce an anti-tumour compound.

Doctor Kawamoto said: 'We have succeeded in the expansion of antigen-specific T cells by making iPS cells and differentiating them back into functional T cells.

'The next step will be to test whether these T cells can selectively kill tumour cells but not other cells in the body. If they do, these cells might be directly injected into patients for therapy. This could be realised in the not-so-distant future.'

The findings were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Dr Dusko Ilic, Senior Lecturer in Stem Cell Science, King’s College London, said: 'The study tackled a novel, quite interesting approach to cell based therapy, something that we do not usually hear about.

'Although this approach requires further verification and a lot of work needs to be done before we can think about clinical trials, the initial data are promising.

'This pioneering work definitely provides a strong foundation to build and expand our knowledge about new opportunities in cell based therapy and personalised medicine.'

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And most of the population idolize footballers and wannabe celebs - these are the people kids need to be aspiring too ... give them honours, gongs, the nobel peace prize! I couldnt agree more These surgeons are the unsung heroes that change and rewrite history for all mankind to see they are the pioneers of medical breakthroughs and the cutting edge of science these are the true super heroes and may they all be recognised for that fact !!!

- Jamie Millar , manchester, United Kingdom, 05/1/2013 02:47

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cancer is curable......just like combustion engines don't need to run on gas....

- Alfonso Freda , world, United States, 04/1/2013 22:19

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"The next step will be to test whether these T cells can selectively kill tumour cells but not other cells in the body." I'm quite sure these special T cells will fail this test as cancer cells are very, very diverse and they don't just turn into some large glowing monster mass but still retain the characteristics (some at least) of normal cells. What if these T cells learn to attack something they're not supposed to, maybe parts of normal tissue or a certain type of cells all over the body? They may be able to kill cancer cells, why not, but then they may cause a new auto-immune condition for life... Very interesting, but not the right direction, in my opinion.

- YanaRay , Nottingham, United Kingdom, 04/1/2013 20:50

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Please make sure it doesn't turn people into fast zombies that can't stand sun light?

- Robert , Atlanta, 04/1/2013 17:29

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There is an Italian doctor who has been injecting cancer tumours with bicarbonate of soda, doing the same thing! - Dee Miller , Johannesburg, 04/1/2013 14:53 No, it doesn't do the same thing. In fact it has killed his patients. I guess you're talking about the doctor who, in 2003, had his Italian licence to practice medicine withdrawn and , in 2006, was convicted for wrongful death and swindling. So, I guess he comes highly recommended (NOT!!!!).

- drhoward , Slough, 04/1/2013 16:02

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There is an Italian doctor who has been injecting cancer tumours with bicarbonate of soda, doing the same thing!

- Dee Miller , Johannesburg, 04/1/2013 14:53

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Yep this is the same way that Will Smith movie starts, I am Legend..Vampire Zombie Apocolyspe in 3...2...1...

- mfamerson , south, 04/1/2013 14:04

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It'll never come to fruition. Cancer is a huge billion dollar industry not to be mucked around with. Just a little research shows this to be the case. - John, Aberdare, Wales, 4/1/2013 12:33 .... and you've obviously done only a little research. Yes, it's a huge billion dollar industry that requires billion dollar investments in research to bring new products and treatments to the public.

- drhoward , Slough, 04/1/2013 13:57

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Big Ears has been telling you fibs again.

- drhoward , Slough, 04/1/2013 13:52

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Ancient Egyptians cured cancer! Several people in Canada and the US were curing cancer patients free of charge but were forced to shut down. Rich and powerful pharmaceutical companies control the training of the medical profession as well as the availability of beneficial herbs not only in the US but here in Britain.

- noddy , Bourne, 04/1/2013 13:17

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