cancer caused each year by millions of deaths around the world, is one of the most important cause of death. Therefore, the mere mention of a lot of people talk about cancer.

British scientists found that the human body there is an anti-cancer gene "switch." Through the control of the gene, the human body can produce and kill cancer cells against immune cells. This discovery has opened up a new cancer treatment path.

natural "killer"

the human body there is something called "natural killer cells" (also known as NK cells) immune cells. It is a kind of white blood cell, but also all the immune cells in the "rapid reaction force." When the body is subjected to a virus or bacterial infection or that there is tumor, the cells rapidly organized defenses, kill infected and cancerous cells.

Although the role of natural killer cells, large, but scientists know it is not as good as immune T cells and B cells, as in-depth.

British "Daily Mail," September 14 quoted Imperial College London researcher Hugh布雷迪博士as saying: "natural killer cell like a 'Cinderella' as mysterious. We know it is not more. "

everyone has the existence of such natural killer cells, but they are a limited number, about one-fifth of total white blood cell count. The researchers said that if the human body can increase the number of natural killer cells, they can have on cancer cells launch a "counterattack."

genetic "switch"

volunteers, researchers have tried to extract the natural killer cells in vivo, and then injected into cancer patients in vivo, hoping to kill the cancer cells. However, natural killer cells from the others often appear with the patient's body does not match the phenomenon and therefore can not time the onset.

a key gene discovery, the cancer patient's own generated a lot of natural killer cells is possible.

Brady and his research team found that one called "E4bp4" genes can control the blood stem cells into natural killer cells.

In the experiment, the use of genetic engineering breed a Brady free E4bp4 gene in mice in vivo. Compared with ordinary mice, only mice in the blood is only a lack of natural killer cells, other ingredients the same. This shows that E4bp4 gene on the production of natural killer cells play a key role.

results of this study published in the 13th issue of the British "Nature - Immunology" magazine.

treatment of a new path

researchers are developing a new drug, by increasing the number of patients is the natural killer cells to fight cancer. Is expected that these new drugs will be breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and leukemia have significant effects.

Brady said, natural killer cells are an important immune cells, but may also occur malfunction caused diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

"With the control of natural killer cell gene 'switch' findings, as well as the mice born without the gene, we can further study of natural killer cells and the relationship between a range of diseases," he�