There has “never been” such optimism in the world of cancer research as there is today, according to Professor Luke O’Neill.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, the Trinity immunologist said scientists have made “great progress” in recent years when it comes to unlocking the full potential of our immune system and making it “attack” certain tumours and cancers.

It comes as the Irish Cancer Society prepares to host its annual Daffodil Day fundraiser in support of the 42,000 people who receive a cancer diagnosis in Ireland every year.

Prof O’Neill told Pat the world has “never seen such activity” in the area of cancer research – and there is now “optimism we might be able to crack it.”

Immune system

He said much of the research involves training the immune system to target tumours.

“The tumour has all kinds of tricks up its sleeve to dodge the immune system and that’s how it survives," he said.

“But the immune system has tremendous weapons to kill viruses and bacteria and now they are getting the immune system to wake up and unmask the tumour so it can attack it."

'Cloaking device'

Prof O’Neill said some drugs have proven successful in getting around the “cloaking device” tumours are using.

“Some of this is very experimental but hopefully these discoveries will make it into humans and be deployed," he said.

“One issue is not all patients respond; 20% respond and 80% don’t – we’d love to know why they don’t.

“It is a complicated thing but we’ve never seen such activity in this area and there is optimism we might be able to crack it.”

Obesity and cancer

Prof O’Neill said obese people are more at risk of getting cancer than others.

“There are 14 different cancers that if you are obese you are at risk of getting,” he said.

“That is because tumour cells are very greedy for fats, they suck up fats and use fat for energy – to build a tumour you need loads of energy for it to grow.

“You are basically feeding the tumour with fat.”

Risk

Prof O’Neill said understanding this risk has actually benefitted cancer research.

“What’s exciting is that if you can stop the tumour eating our body, that could be a way to slow it down from growing,” he said.

"Especially if you stop it from eating fat, it can’t grow as well and begins to die off.

“The immune system becomes exhausted because there isn’t enough food to feed the immune system when the tumour sucks up all the nutrients.

“You need the immune system to win the battle for nutrients.”

Those who wish to get involved in this year’s Daffodil Day, or donate, can do so by visiting cancer.ie/daffodilday