Therapy to treat lung cancer

A Chinese University of Hong Kong medical research team said it has discovered a new form of therapy to treat lung cancer.

The treatment uses gene editing technology to enhance the anti-cancer capacity of neutrophils -- immune cells that are the most abundant in human blood. In Hong Kong, lung cancer kills around 4,000 people a year, more than any other form of cancer.

Currently, there are multiple ways of treating the disease, including checkpoint inhibitors -- a type of immunotherapy. While such a treatment is common, it can only benefit 30 percent of lung cancer patients.

Nonetheless, the medical research team has discovered a new generation of immunotherapy, using neutrophils -- white blood cells found in human blood that defend the body against microorganisms and viruses. The team
discovered an immune regulatory molecule Smad3 within the cells that suppress the anti-cancer capacity of neutrophils.

Researchers then applied genetic editing technology to remove Smad3, with results showing that lung cancer growth can be prevented. While the team has already conducted trials on mice, experts said they face different challenges before the treatment can be practiced on humans.