Scientists find way to help ‘exhausted’ white blood cells
Giving white blood cells a boost could help the body tackle cancer.
Keystone
The discovery of a gene that wears out white blood cells could pave the way to boosting the immune system as it battles cancer.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
While it is known that T Lymphocyte white blood cells become exhausted during prolonged exposure to tumours, the exact cause of this phenomenon has only just been discovered.
Researchers at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel have identified the cause as gene SNX9.
They found that T Lymphocyte cells remained more effective against tumours for longer when the gene was deactivated using CRISPR/Cas9 gene scissors.
“This can be important in situations where every hour counts in the fight against the disease,” said lead author Marcel Trefny.
The findings could have a profound impact on the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments, the researchers said in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications.
But before this can be implemented, scientists must first test for any adverse side-effects when they switch off gene SNX9.
More
More
The Swiss start-up upending how the world pays for medicine
This content was published on
Basel start-up Lyfegen wants patients and insurers to stop overpaying for medicine. Its CEO believes the company has the technology to make it happen.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss federal office sees no reason to end deportations of asylum-seekers to Croatia
This content was published on
Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) continues to deport asylum-seekers to Croatia. It thus rejects a demand from the Swiss Refugee Council in mid-February, which called for a halt to the returns.
ChatGPT responds to negative emotions and therapy, research shows
This content was published on
Stressful information can also cause anxiety in artificial intelligence (AI). As scientists in Zurich have shown, it's even possible to calm the GPT-4 AI model with mindfulness exercises.
Mortgage benchmark fall paves way for potential rent cuts in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland’s national benchmark for mortgage costs dropped to the level it had before the global inflation surge, paving the way for potential rent reductions.
Switzerland ‘deeply concerned’ by Trump’s death penalty order
This content was published on
Switzerland has told the UN Human Rights Council that it is "deeply concerned" by US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to strengthen capital punishment at federal and state level.
Blatter, Platini return to court for new fraud trial over CHF2 million FIFA payment
This content was published on
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini appeared in court in Switzerland on Monday accused of fraud - 2.5 years after they were cleared.
Israel criticises Swiss decision to host Middle East conference in Geneva on Friday
This content was published on
Israel has condemned Switzerland for planning to host a meeting on international humanitarian law in the Middle East next Friday in Geneva.
Centre Party’s Franziska Biner elected to Valais government
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland elected Franziska Biner to the cantonal government in the first round of voting, beating off more established politicians.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Paying to survive – the deadly toll of breast cancer in Kenya
This content was published on
In Kenya, the high price of drugs like trastuzumab, which Roche sells as Herceptin, is one reason why breast cancer is still seen as a death sentence.
Novartis bets on experimental cancer treatment from US firm
This content was published on
The Swiss pharma giant has made an offer for the rights to a tumor inhibiting treatment from Clovis Oncology in Colorado, which has filed for bankruptcy protection.
This content was published on
Africa is a burgeoning market for cancer drugs. But as pharmaceutical companies like Roche are learning in Kenya, the challenges are immense.
The Swiss start-up upending how the world pays for medicine
This content was published on
Basel start-up Lyfegen wants patients and insurers to stop overpaying for medicine. Its CEO believes the company has the technology to make it happen.
Top Swiss inventions you may have missed this year
This content was published on
A biodegradable paper battery and an AI microphone that can detect wolves are among the Swiss inventions that flew under the radar in 2022.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.