mdg-annual-report-2013

12 KapitelT … as in T cellsTechnologies for the future. T cells are white blood cells in the immune system whichfight diseases. These »killer cells«, which are produced naturally in the body, have the task of identifyingand combating pathogens. However, T cells often fail to recognise cancer cells. Medigene’s newlyacquired immunotherapies activate, prepare and »train« the patient’s own T cells to target and destroytumours. Conversely, any unwanted T cells, as in autoimmune diseases, can also be identified andremoved. These T cell focused therapeutic approaches are at the forefront of immunotherapy, which isconsidered to be the future in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Immunotherapy specificallystrengthens the patient’s immune system, utilizing the body’s own defence mechanisms.