Topic: Implant raises cellular army to attack cancer

[Nemesis]

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Their breakthrough involves implanting cylinders of an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer into the body. The implants release a particular variety of the cell-signalling molecules called cytokines - a sort of molecular perfume that is irresistible to a certain kind of immune-system messenger cell.

These dendritic cells are attracted into the pores of Mooney's implant, where they are exposed to antigens - the molecular signatures of the cancer, bacterium or virus being treated - and a danger-signal chemical derived from bacterial DNA.

This alert signal makes the dendritic cells flee to the nearest lymph node, where they meet up with the immune system's "killer" T-cells and program them to hunt down the invading cells.

The article makes it clear that it can be used against other diseases as well not just cancer.