Four years after COVID-19 first emerged, wreaking havoc on lives and healthcare systems worldwide, a surprising potential benefit has come to light. A new study led by Justin Stebbing at Anglia Ruskin University suggests that the virus, infamous for its deadly impact, might also hold promise in combating cancer.

The study highlights the role of monocytes, a type of white blood cell crucial in the body’s defence mechanisms. In cancer patients, these cells are often hijacked by tumour cells, transforming them into allies that shield tumours from the immune system.

However, severe COVID-19 infections trigger the production of a specialized type of monocyte with anti-cancer properties. These monocytes are designed to fight the virus but exhibit the ability to attack cancer cells as well.

To test this phenomenon, researchers conducted experiments on mice with advanced-stage cancers, including melanoma, lung, breast, and colon cancers. The mice were treated with a drug that mimicked the immune system’s response to severe COVID-19 infections. The monocytes retained their cancer-fighting abilities, targeting and shrinking tumours across all cancer types tested.

The study opens new avenues for cancer research, particularly in immunotherapy. While current immunotherapies primarily focus on T cells, this research emphasizes the untapped potential of monocytes in cancer treatment.

“These findings suggest a fresh direction for targeting tumour cells through the immune system,” the researchers noted.

However, the study does not advocate for intentional exposure to COVID-19. Instead, it underscores the potential of replicating the immune response seen in severe infections to develop innovative therapies.

This study not only highlights the complex relationship between cancer and the immune system but also offers hope for novel treatments. By harnessing the cancer-fighting properties of monocytes, researchers may unlock new strategies to combat one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

While much work remains to translate these findings into clinical treatments, the study underscores the unexpected ways in which medical research evolves. COVID-19, once feared for its devastating impact, may pave the way for life-saving cancer therapies in the future.

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