New Delhi: COVID-19 took the blame for premature heart diseases, death and an overly compromised immune system. Be it due to the virus or because of its vaccine, the incidence of early death has been on the rise since the pandemic kicked off. However, scientists seem to have found a silver lining – according to a new study, Covid-19 could have a positive effect on health, and that is associated with cancer. Turns out, the virus can contribute to cancer regression – it can reduce the size of a tumour. With animal and human tissues, experts found that ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules of the SARS-CoV-2 virus do the trick.
Researchers involved in the study also noted that the molecules found in living cells, trigger the development of a special cell in the immune system that has anti-cancer properties. These new cells move into tumours and blood vessels which immune cells can’t typically do. According to scientists from Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, these are known as “inducible nonclassical monocytes” or “I-NCMs”, because of their ability to treat cancers resistant to therapy.
How does the COVID-19 infection attack cancer?
Scientists say that these cells swarm the tumour and attack cancer cells directly, thereby reducing the size of the tumour. This is triggered by severe COVID-19 infection. But it is only effective against lung, breast, skin and bowel cancers. Experts also found that during COVID-19, a subset of immune cells is formed in the body and that begins when RNA from the virus activates signals in the immune system. These can cause monocytes to transform into I-NCMs. These cells can move into blood vessels and tissues where tumours form. These cells then attack the tumour and cancer cells thereby causing them to shrink.
Experts say that the discovery opens up new avenues for cancer treatment. While the treatment is in its early stages and only seen effective in animal studies, it offers hope for advanced cancer cases, especially when patients stop responding to other treatments. Although more research is needed in the area, experts say that the next step is clinical trials. This comes after researchers found that salmonella can cause food poisoning and can be manipulated to fight bowel cancer as well.
Researchers also noted that salmonella can help beat cancer by suppressing tumour growth. But it can also suppress parts of the immune system that are a must to fight tumour.
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