In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
The treatment employs a genetically modified virus to alter the surface markers of tumor cells, making them appear as foreign pig tissue. This deception prompts the immune system—normally responsible for rejecting transplanted organs—to target and attack the modified cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Early clinical trials have yielded promising results, with 90% of patients suffering from advanced, treatment-resistant cancers experiencing halted tumor growth or significant shrinkage. Notably, one cervical cancer patient was declared clinically cured following the therapy.
Led by Professor Zhao Yongxiang, director of the State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology at Guangxi Medical University, the research has rapidly gained traction on Chinese social media, drawing attention as a potential new direction in oncology. The innovative approach offers new hope for patients who have not benefited from conventional therapies, signaling a promising avenue for treatments that harness the body’s own immune defenses.
The breakthrough underscores the potential of precision immunotherapy, where the careful manipulation of tumor cells can convert them into targets for the immune system. If further trials confirm these early findings, this strategy could pave the way for more effective, less invasive treatments for a range of aggressive cancers, transforming the landscape of cancer care.
Read next
11:36
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer will meet China's economic tsar He Lifeng in Switzerland this weekend for talks that could be the first step toward resolving a trade war disrupting the global economy.
11:28
World news
China has voiced concern over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a reported military operation by India, calling for restraint and a commitment to regional peace.
03:02
USA - China
Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland, the administration announced Tuesday.
19:30
Global debt rose by around $7.5 trillion in the first three months of the year to hit a record high of over $324 trillion, data from a banking trade group showed on Tuesday.
17:25
Nearly 100 young and middle-aged military officers from over 40 African countries including Egypt, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya have started a 10-day visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment