How This Nobel Discovery Could Transform Autoimmune and Cancer Treatment

Often called peacekeepers, these cells help prevent our immune systems from going out of control.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

For most of the 20th century, scientists pictured the immune system as the body’s ever-vigilant army—standing guard against germs, viruses, and rogue cells. Yet one question remained: What keeps this army from mistakenly attacking the body itself?

For millions with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as Type 1 diabetes or lupus, the question is personal—these life-long illnesses bring painful symptoms and harsh immune-suppressing treatments.