Hello everyone! Happy March! If you recall, we began this year by stating our high hopes for all the new and wonderful cancer treatment options that are being developed every day around the world. Indeed, there’s one in particular that’s surprising not just we “regular” people — but is surprising members of the medical community as well. And, that my friends is the use of HIV — yes, that HIV — as an option for treating those with cancer.
Now, we know that HIV — Human Immunodeficiency Virus — is a virus that infects and destroys the T-lymphocytes or T-cells. T-cells, which are a group of white blood cells, are important because they fight infection. Without them, our immune system becomes compromised and we become more vulnerable to many different types of infections and diseases, including cancer. Knowing this, it seems the last thing we would want to do is to introduce HIV into our bodies on purpose. And, for the purpose of treating cancer! Are we kidding?! The surprising answer is, “No, we’re not kidding.”
You see, researchers have found a way to modify HIV. First, blood is collected from the cancer patient. The white blood cells known as T-cells are then separated from the blood sample. These T-cells are then combined with the modified version of the virus HIV, which has had its disease-causing characteristics removed and replaced with cancer-fighting genes. These new T-cells are allowed to multiply, are tested for safety and then are injected back into the patient’s body where they attack and destroy cancer cells.
This incredible new procedure has been receiving much press over the last few years. It has been tested on adult cancer patients and recently on children as well. It offers hope to those for whom chemotherapy and other traditional cancer treatments have fallen short. This is certainly one scientific development we want to keep our eyes on! So, please read more at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120828073304.htm
http://www.inquisitr.com/431832/doctors-use-hiv-to-cure-7-year-olds-cancer
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
Leave a Comment