Researchers have discovered that the Covid-19 virus may hold unexpected benefits for cancer treatment. The virus triggers the formation of a unique immune cell capable of attacking and destroying cancerous tissue.

"It's incredible, and a big surprise, that the same infection that caused so much devastation can help create a cancer-fighting cell," said Dr. Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery and director of the Canning Thoracic Institute.

The study also showed that the RNA in the COVID-19 virus could incite the production of new immune cells that target and destroy cancer. These new cells can enter tumors and kill the cancer cells directly. Promising results in reducing tumors have been seen using human tissues and animal models.

Researchers found that the COVID-19 virus triggers immune changes that may one day be harnessed to help fight cancer.

Immune cells produced during severe COVID-19 infection may shrink tumors. The unexpected mechanism offers a new therapeutic possibility for advanced and treatment-resistant cancers.

New research from Northwestern Medicine shows that in some cases of severe COVID, the immune response actually killed cancer cells. Researchers are trying to harness that immune power into new cancer therapies.

Director of Northwestern’s Canning Thoracic Institute Dr. Ankit Bharat said he and other researchers found when our immune systems attack the COVID virus, the RNA molecule inside triggers our white blood cells.