Immune system cells receive instructions from antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to fight a particular invasion, such as a virus or cancer. Pathologist Jonathan Schneck’s team strengthens the immune system response to cancer by creating artificial APCs that train immune cells to attack tumors.

Researchers first mix immune cells from blood with magnetic artificial APCs. The immune cells bind to the artificial APCs, programming the cells to attack tumors. To collect these cancer-fighting cells, the researchers run the mixture through a magnetic column, and the cells stick to the sides of the column. These cells can multiply up to 10,000 times in a week.

In a study, mice receiving plasma with programmed immune system cells lived 40 percent longer, and tumors disappeared in 25 percent of the mice.  

For humans, the process would involve removing blood, using the artificial APCs and magnetic column to train immune system cells, and returning the cells to patients through intravenous infusion after the cells have multiplied over a week or two.

Trials could begin within 18 months for patients with cancer that has resisted other treatments.