Scientists Try Injecting Tumor-Fighting Viruses Coated in Magnets Made By Soil Bacteria (theguardian.com) 20
To attack tumors, the Guardian reports, "scientists are developing magnetically guided microscopic projectiles that can be injected into patients' blood."
The project — led by researchers at Sheffield University — builds on progress in two key medical fields. The first involves viruses that specifically attack tumours.... After infection with an oncolytic virus, a cancer cell will burst open and die. The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved the use of T-Vec, a modified herpes simplex virus that infects and kills tumour cells and is now being used to treat people with certain types of melanoma, a skin cancer.
Unfortunately, the viruses soon get attacked by the body's immune system. So the scientists want to coat the viruses with magnetic particles, so that magnets (outside a patient's body) can quickly guide those viruses where they're needed.
And to accomplish this they're using a soil bacteria which is known to make magnets to align with Earth's own magnetic field. "The essence of this approach is straightforward," one of the project's leaders explains to the Guardian. "We are using bugs as drugs.... we have found bacteria do a better job of manufacturing them than we could." Having developed the technology, the Sheffield team is now working to ensure they can manufacture sufficient supplies so that clinical trials on humans can begin soon. To date, trials have focused on animal models. "These early tests have been very encouraging and we now need to take the next steps to bring this technique to a state where it can be administered to humans — hopefully in a few years' time."
Thanks to Slashdot reader Falconhell for sharing the article!
Unfortunately, the viruses soon get attacked by the body's immune system. So the scientists want to coat the viruses with magnetic particles, so that magnets (outside a patient's body) can quickly guide those viruses where they're needed.
And to accomplish this they're using a soil bacteria which is known to make magnets to align with Earth's own magnetic field. "The essence of this approach is straightforward," one of the project's leaders explains to the Guardian. "We are using bugs as drugs.... we have found bacteria do a better job of manufacturing them than we could." Having developed the technology, the Sheffield team is now working to ensure they can manufacture sufficient supplies so that clinical trials on humans can begin soon. To date, trials have focused on animal models. "These early tests have been very encouraging and we now need to take the next steps to bring this technique to a state where it can be administered to humans — hopefully in a few years' time."
Thanks to Slashdot reader Falconhell for sharing the article!
Re: Gotta take care of all the angles here (Score:2)
Where did he use it as singular? Anyway, while technically bacterium is the singular and correct, the term bacteria and bacterium are often used interchangeably even when describing singular. Itâ(TM)s really no bid deal. Note this randomly chosen article in a top scientific journal:
Reference: https://experiments.springerna... [springernature.com]
https://www.nature.com/article... [nature.com]
https://www.nature.com/article... [nature.com]
Re: (Score:2)
"On another note, the singular is "bacterium". "
Romani ite domum.
As a bonus ... (Score:3)
So the scientists want to coat the viruses with magnetic particles, ... using a soil bacteria which is known to make magnets to align with Earth's own magnetic field.
After those get stuck in my brain, they'll help me navigate during annual migrations ...
Re: (Score:1)
Either that, or turn you into Dr Magneto.
Mandatory now - even if it saves just one life (Score:2)
This should be mandated by all governments world wide -- immediately.
Why wait to test someone for a tumor if this can save... just... one.. . life.
(Also the pharma companies will profit immensely but that's secondary.)
Re: (Score:3)
This should be mandated by all governments world wide -- immediately.
Why wait to test someone for a tumor if this can save... just... one.. . life.
From TFS:
Unfortunately, the viruses soon get attacked by the body's immune system. So the scientists want to coat the viruses with magnetic particles, so that magnets (outside a patient's body) can quickly guide those viruses where they're needed.
Without knowing if there's a tumor and where it is (or they are) the virus will be neutralized by the body's immune system in short order -- hence the need for them to be quickly guided my external magnets to a target ...
There's an XKCD for everything... (Score:4, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
Where have we heard this before? (Score:4, Funny)
No. Please, God, no. Not an actually magnetic injection. Just when we finished debunking the "Covid vaccines make me magnetic" videos.
I think (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You: Doctor Doctor, I cannot stop dancing, what do I have?
Doctor: I'm afraid you have Watusi disease.
You: I need something to make me stop dancing, it is driving me mad.
Doctor: Here's a prescription for Hyperbolic Dance Inhibitor.
You: Errrr, no, I cannot take that. It is a foreign substance and is almost never a good idea.
No crystals? It must be fake news (Score:2)
And maybe add some aromatherapy.
Fucking magnets, how do they work? (Score:2)
If the Posse doesn't trust it, neither do I. I place my trust in loud, obnoxious blowhards, and it has served me well, damn it.
Obligatory portal reference (Score:1)