T-cellic: T cells deliver the goods

Knowing that the human immune system tries to mount a defense against cancer, some companies have attempted to harness or enhance immune responses as a minimally toxic treatment approach. T-cellic A/S instead uses the immune system's efforts as a means of targeting malignant cells with therapeutic and diagnostic compounds.

When a cancer develops and its cells start producing aberrant proteins, the body's immune system response includes the production of T cells specific to the cancer cells. "T cells are very specific and can home in and invade the tumors," CEO Elsebeth Budolfsen told BioCentury. "Unfortunately this response alone is not enough to effectively combat cancer. Our concept is to exploit the T cells' unique sensitivity to locate cancer cells and their ability to actively migrate to them."...