Cancer is a major killer. It is caused by the accumulation of mutations in DNA. Mutations in a region of DNA that is transcribed into messenger RNA and translated into protein can change a protein’s amino acid sequence. Proteins altered in this way might not work normally and can increase the likelihood of getting cancer. This is particularly true if these altered proteins disrupt one of the many natural anti-cancer processes, such as properly controlled cell division. A cancer will form once cells accumulate enough DNA mutations to overcome all natural anti-cancer defences. It will grow larger, disrupt the function of the organ it is growing in, spread around the body and eventually become lifethreatening.
One crucial anti-cancer defence mechanism is attack by white blood cells, particularly killer T cells — key components of the immune system. These cells identify and kill cells that contain mutated abnormal proteins. By understanding how cancers block this lethal attack, new medicines have been developed that reinvigorate killer T cells, and they show remarkable effects in some cancer patients.
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