Cancer Research Cancer Medical Research - 1417 Words

Cancer Medical Research Introduction With the emergence of killer diseases such as cancer and diabetes, medical research institutions are devoting enormous resources to discover new and effective ways of tackling the problem. The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) are the premier research facilities, boasting of the world’s largest source of biomedical research funding. Started over a century ago, the institute has been at the forefront in advancing the understanding of health and diseases. As a result, the world is safe from traditional ailments that threatened life. Consequently, life expectancies have increased by at least three decades since the inception of the research facilities. Aided by modern technology, the†¦show more content†¦There are about three common immunotherapies, which are: hybrid, passive or active. Immunotherapy operates under the scientific facts that lays out that cancer cells contain molecules that are attached onto their surface which the immune system can detec t. In active immunotherapy, tumor associated antigens (TAAs) are directed at the cancer cells and they begin attacking them. Passive immunotherapy works by enhancing anti-tumor responses by the use of monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and lymphocytes. In some cases, immune cells are transferred from the body of the patient, cultured, and returned to the body to attack the cancer cells (Collins, 2009). This form of cellular therapy commonly uses and dendritic cells and cytotoxic T-cells. History of Immunotherapy Immunotherapy traces its origin to the immunization programs of the 1796, when scientists discovered that introducing toxins to the body caused the body to form antitoxins. Later on, it was discovered that antibodies could be formed to target a specific disease in the body. It was until 1987 when researchers discovered that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte 4th antigen (CTLA-4) prevented T (thymus associated) cells from attacking and destroying tumor cells. This discovery made a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Researchers created an antibody against the CTLA-4 that allowed the human immune system to attack and destroy tumorigenic cells in the body (Marraffini, 2010). This discovery formed the