Fri Nov 22 14:30:00 UTC 2024: ## COVID-19’s Unexpected Ally: White Blood Cells Show Promise in Cancer Fight

**CHENNAI, INDIA** – A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University suggests that white blood cells activated during severe COVID-19 infections may possess surprising cancer-fighting capabilities. Researchers found that induced non-classical monocytes (I-NCMs), a specialized type of white blood cell, can effectively slow the spread of cancer in mice.

The study, published in the November issue of *The Journal of Clinical Investigation*, revealed that I-NCMs, generated during severe infections like COVID-19 or through certain chemicals, migrate to tumors and attack cancer cells. This finding offers a potential new avenue for cancer treatment, particularly in addressing metastasis.

While anecdotal evidence suggests rare cases of cancer remission following COVID-19, the direct causal link remains unclear. The researchers emphasize that the study’s findings in mice need further investigation in human trials.

The research builds upon the long-standing concept of harnessing the immune system to combat cancer. Immunotherapy, a field that has shown remarkable success in recent years, aims to empower the body’s immune cells to fight cancer. This new research suggests that I-NCMs could play a crucial role, working independently of other immune components like T and B cells.

The study highlights the potential of I-NCMs as a new weapon in the arsenal against cancer, particularly metastasis. However, the researchers caution that while promising, further research is needed before this approach can be translated into effective human therapies. The ultimate goal remains to harness the body’s natural defenses to fight this formidable disease.

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