Category: lymphatic and immune system Page 2 of 4

Can we attack breast cancer with a vaccine?

On May 8, 2023

In endocrine system, lymphatic and immune system, reproductive system, tissues

Teachable moment in classrooms:

tissues chapter – epithelial tissue lines the interior of lactiferous ducts
female reproductive system chapter – location of lactiferous ducts in mammary gland
endocrine system chapter – cells need hormone receptors to react to hormones
immune system – the roles of T and B lymphocytes in immune response

The news item: The following report appeared recently:

Potential breast cancer vaccine undergoing testing

The key protein for a potential vaccine that would treat breast cancer was found through “a matter of luck and tenacity.”

The article states that a key protein was found to serve in the making of a vaccine against breast cancer. This protein is made by breast cancer cells, but not by normal mammary glands.

So, Why Do I Care?? There is over 350,000 new breast cancer diagnosis each year in the US, and over 43,000 women die yearly from this cancer. There are several types of surgical and chemotherapeutical treatments after the diagnosis, however; preventative measures, such as vaccination, would be a great way to decrease the number of breast cancer diagnoses.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what breast cancer is. Despite the name, breast cancer doesn’t mean that the entire breast turned into a mass of cancer cells. Breast cancer refers to the cancerous changes in the mammary gland. Most frequently cancer cells develop in the epithelial tissues of lobules (where milk is produced) and in the lining of lactiferous ducts.

Second, let’s talk about what is a triple negative breast cancer. The normal growth of the mammary gland during pregnancy is stimulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and epidermal

Can a protein from pig skin restore vision to blind people?

By admin

On January 15, 2023

In lymphatic and immune system, special senses, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 01152023

Teachable moment in classrooms:

special senses chapter – tunics/layers of the eye
special senses chapter – structure of the cornea
tissues chapter – collagen is found in the extracellular matrix of many connective tissues
immune system chapter – recognition of non-self antigens
immune system chapter – role of lymphocytes for immune functions

The news item: Recently this news item was online:

Eye implant made from pig protein restored sight in 14 blind people

Twenty people with diseased or damaged corneas saw improvements to their vision after receiving implants engineered out of protein from pigskin.

The article states that collagen from pig skin was helpful in restoring vision to people with the disorder called keratoconus, that this disease represents a bulging of the front of the eye, that about 50-200 from 100,000 people have this disease, and that the treatment includes injection of this collagen into the cornea.

So, Why Do I Care?? Our vision is the most precious sense, so, any loss of visual capacity has a major effect on our quality of life. The misshaped cornea causes loss of sharp vision. As the article states keratoconus is a relatively rare disorder, nonetheless it is important to keep an account of any remedy that restores vision.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what keratoconus is. At the front of the eyeball there is a transparent sheet called cornea. From the side it looks like a flat bubble. The cornea focuses light into the eye. In some people the cornea has a pointy shape like a small ice cream cone. This keratoconus condition prevents the focusing of light, so, blurred, cloudy vision is the result.

Second, let’s talk about the injection into the cornea. While the cornea is a very thin sheet of tissue, it is possible to inject materials into the sheet. Because the cornea is flexible, injection of the proper amount

Why are we trying to transplant pig hearts into human beings?

By admin

On October 21, 2022

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 10222022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

chemical basis of life chapter – genetic engineering can remove genes from, or add genes to DNA molecules (the chromosomes)
cellular basis of life chapter – removing a gene removes a protein, while adding a gene adds proteins to the functional toolkit of cells
hear chapter – blood pumping action of left ventricle delivers oxygen, nutrients to all organs
immune system chapter – role of HLA proteins in the recognition of self and non-self antigens

The news item: Recently the following news article was published:

Two pig heart transplants succeed in brain-dead recipients

Surgeons at New York University (NYU) have successfully transplanted genetically-engineered pig hearts into two brain-dead people, researchers said on Tuesday, moving a step closer to a long-term goal of using pig parts to address the shortage of human organs for transplant.

The article states that experimental transplantation of pig hearts into brain dead humans was carried out, and the hearts remained functional for the three days of the study. The article also states that the transplanted hearts came from genetically engineered pigs in which 4 genetic alterations were done to prevent rejection, and 6 genetic modifications were done to prevent incompatibilities between pigs and humans.

So, Why Do I Care?? There are about 600,000 people in the US whose heart is about to give out (end stage heart disease), but there are only about 3800 heart transplant operations. Several people die each day because suitable donor hearts are not available for transplantation. If we could routinely transplant pig hearts into humans that would save thousands of lives.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about why people need a heart transplant. End stage heart disease happens either because of the degeneration of heart muscle from coronary artery disease or from viral infection, or because of heart valve problems. Once the pumping efficiency of the heart drops

Why bacterial contamination of baby formula is life threatening for infants?

By admin

On September 29, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, nervous system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 09292022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – linker proteins in the plasma membrane form tight junctions
tissue chapter – tight junctions of epithelial cells prevent movement of pathogens between the cells
immune system chapter – reliance of white blood cells for immune functions
brain chapter – the brain is covered by meninges inside the cranial cavity
microbiology – the pathogen bacterium Chronobacter sakazakii

The news item: Recently a news report appeared about contaminated baby formula:

FDA says maker of powdered infant formula didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated | CNN

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the company running a plant at the center of a baby formula recall didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated during manufacturing, according to a preliminary report filed this month.

The article states that Chronobacter sakazakii bacterium caused death of two infants who used baby formula contaminated with the bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care?? While adults can easily defeat a bacterial infection, the bodies of infants are very vulnerable to such infection. Because the immune system of infants is naturally weak, powdered infant formulas must be free of bacterial contamination. If bacteria are in the infant formula, then the infants are exposed to life threatening infection. The number of infections is about 15 infants each year, but one-fourth of the infants die from the infection.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what a Chronobacterium is. This is a very common bacterium in environment, present on many surfaces and in food items. The well-trained immune system of adults can fight off this bacterium, but the not-yet-fully developed immune system of infants has a

Can we get a deadly infection from an aromatherapy bottle?

By admin

On February 26, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 02272022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

microbiology – Burkholderia bacteria
microbiology – bacterial movement by flagella
cellular basis of life chapter – lysosomes can digest invaders, or self-digest a cell during autophagy cell death
tissue chapter – cells of epithelial tissue line the lumen of respiratory and digestive systems
immune system chapter – neutrophils and other white blood cells phagocytose invaders
blood vessel chapter – septic shock suppresses blood pressure by causing vasodilation

The news item: Recently the following news report appeared online:

Mysterious fatal infections tied to room spray sold at Walmart

Federal authorities warned Friday that a rare bacterial infection that killed two people has been tied to an aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart. A total of four people in four states were infected earlier this year by the rare tropical disease called melioidosis.

The article stated that four victims of melioidosis were identified in the US, that the disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, that the bacterium lives in soils in Southeast Asia, and that the pathogens were traced to aroma therapy spray bottles.

So, Why Do I Care?? Infectious pathogens are found in many locations, and they can cause deadly diseases. In addition to the well-know viruses and bacteria, there are exotic pathogens that cause rare, but just as deadly infections. Therefore, it is important to understand how those exotic pathogens act. Melioidosis has a 50% death rate, and even after antibiotic treatment the death rate remains 10%.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how this bacterium infects our body. The bacteria enter the body through inhaling or ingesting contaminated water. The bacterium then moves into the epithelial cells that line the lumen of the lower respiratory or the epithelial cells that line the lumen of digestive

Can a newly discovered immune cell kill all cancers in our bodies?

By admin

On November 28, 2021

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11282021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis
cellular basis of life chapter – many types of receptor proteins are located in the cell membrane
immune system chapter – the roles of white blood cells in immune defense

The news item: Recently the following news report was published:

Immune discovery ‘may treat all cancer’

Research is at an early stage but scientists said it had huge potential for destroying cancers.

The article states that researchers found a new type of T cell that has the potential to attack cancer cells from virtually all regions of the body, and that potential is based on a molecule called MR1.

So, Why Do I Care?? Various types of cancers kill over 600,000 people in the USA. Cancer treatments vary according to the type and stage of the cancer. Any discovery that opens up the possibility of a unified cancer treatment is a reason for renewed hope among current and future cancer patients.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what cancer is. Our cells have to divide (undergo mitosis) to make new cells for repair or to replace worn out cells. When cell keep on dividing even after the tissue repair or cell

How do we teach the immune system of a cancer patient to attack cancer?

By admin

On July 30, 2021

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 07302021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter– artificial DNA can direct the cell to make a new type of protein
cellular basis of life chapter – receptor proteins are located in the plasma membrane
tissue chapter –the liquid connective tissue nature of blood allows the separation of blood cell types
immune system chapter – role of T cell in immune defense

The news item: Recently a news report was published about a cancer patient’s fight for her life:

New treatment option for patients battling aggressive form of blood cancer

People battling relapsed or refractory (R/R) Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, an aggressive blood cancer, experience a challenging treatment journey. But a recently approved CAR T cell therapy gives patients a new option.

The article stated that the patient had B cell lymphoma that didn’t respond to chemotherapy, and that she started a new treatment where her T cells were removed from her blood, reprogrammed to attack her cancer, and then returned into her body. The treatment was described as the CAR T treatment where CAR stood for chimeric antigen receptor.

So, Why Do I Care?? Some leukemia type cancers and lymphoma type cancers do not respond to regular chemotherapy. While the total number of the patients is relatively low (a few thousand), the new approach (CAR T) to cancer treatment now presents a new option for those patients with cancers resisting regular chemotherapy. Knowing how this type of treatment is created allows us to understand treatment regimens such as Kymriah, Yescarta, and Tecartus. In addition, the CAR T treatment type may inspire more out of the box thinking to defeat cancer.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about why would we want to train our immune system. In our body only the cells of the immune system are the only ones that can find and destroy specific targets

Can we teach our immune system to attack cancer by reprogramming white blood cells?

By admin

On June 29, 2021

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 06282021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – some proteins are located in the plasma membrane
blood chapter – hematopoiesis (blood cell formation) in red bone marrow
immune system chapter – role of T-cells in immune defense

The news item: Recently an article reported on the struggles of a patient suffering with acute lymphoblastic leukemia:

Richmond woman benefits from game-changing cancer treatment now offered at VCU

If you knew what Rachel Elliot has been through you might call it a miracle that she is alive and well today, but hers was a miracle over a decade in the making.

The article described a new treatment called Kymriah, a Car-T type treatment, and stated that it involves genetic engineering T-cells.

So, Why Do I Care?? Some cancers resist traditional chemotherapy treatments. Patients suffering from those cancers have very limited life expectancy. While the total number of ALL cases, close to 6,000 each year, are relatively few, children under the age of 5 are affected mostly. New cancer treatment approaches that think outside the box are the treatments that bring hope, and eventually cures to those patients.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is. This type of leukemia is the cancer of the red bone marrow, and the uncontrolled division of some cells in the bone marrow leads to a large

Can we decrease people’s cat allergies just by changing the cat food?

By admin

On May 1, 2021

In lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 04302021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

immune system chapter – IgE antibodies are made in response to allergens
immune system chapter – interactions of antibody with specific targets
immune system chapter – elements of anaphylactic reaction

The news item: Recently several news outlets reported on a new cat food, Purina’s Pro Plan LiveClear, that reduces people’s allergic reaction to cats:

Purina Pro Plan Releasing Cat Food that Can Help Ease Cat Allergies in Humans

Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is designed to safely neutralize Fel d1, the main allergen that causes cat allergies, in your cat’s saliva

The article states that Fel d1 is the major cat allergen, and the new cat food makes cats to carry less of this allergen on their fur.

So, Why Do I Care??

About 10-30% of people are prone to develop allergies to cats. 95% of cat allergies happen because of anaphylactic reaction to the Fel d1 cat allergen. With the popularity of cats in households, any non-invasive method to decrease allergic reactions can have major impact on the quality of life for millions of people in the US alone. In addition, this approach may point the way to similar solution to other allergy problems.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what is an allergy. Some cells in our immune system are programmed to recognize foreign material we breathe in or we swallow. When immune cells make an IgE antibody in response, then that foreign material is now called an allergen. When the allergen enters the body the second time,

How could gene editing fight cancers?

By admin

On December 8, 2020

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12082020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – chromosomes contain many genes
cellular basis of life chapter – a gene is a specific stretch of DNA that encodes one protein
cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein

malfunction

immune system chapter – function of T lymphocytes (T cells)

The news item: Recently the gene editing approach to cancer fighting was in the news:

Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US

The first attempt in the U.S. to use the gene editing tool CRISPR against cancer seems safe, but it’s too soon to know if it will improve survival.

The report described an experimental treatment of one sarcoma patient and two multiple myeloma patients with the Crispr technology. The article states that this approach deletes 3 genes and adds one gene to the T cells of the patients, and the gene-edited T cells are infused back into the body of the patients.

So, Why Do I Care??

The thing to care about is the potential of the technology of gene editing. While experimental in humans, and the targets of the technology are relatively rare diseases, if proven useful there are many human genetic disorders that may be managed or cured by it. Any disorder that is caused by mutated genes and malfunctioning proteins may be the future target of gene editing.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about multiple myeloma and sarcoma. Myeloma is a cancer that forms in the red bone marrow. Sarcoma is a cancer that starts from connective