Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Health - LEVEL1

COVID Infection Could Lead to Tumor Shrinkage, Study Reveals

By aimee yang
coronavirus
Photo by CDC on Pexels.com

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that severe COVID-19 may help reduce cancer in mice. This is surprising and could change how we think about cancer treatment.

The study looks at special white blood cells called monocytes. These cells are important for fighting infections, but in cancer patients, they can work with tumor cells and protect them.

The researchers found that severe COVID-19 helps the body make a special kind of monocyte. These monocytes can fight both the virus and cancer cells.

The scientists tested this on mice with different types of advanced cancers. They gave the mice a drug that acts like a severe COVID infection. The results were exciting. The tumors in the mice got smaller.

This new way to fight cancer could help people who do not respond to current treatments. However, it is important to say that people should not try to catch COVID to get this benefit. Severe COVID can be very harmful.

This research may lead to new treatments for cancer in the future.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Monocytes/ˈmoʊ.nə.saɪts/noun
A type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune response.

Tumor/ˈtuː.mər/noun
An abnormal mass of tissue that can be benign or malignant.

Severe/sɪˈvɪr/adjective
Of a serious or critical nature; very intense.

Infection/ɪnˈfɛkʃən/noun
The process of being infected with a disease-causing organism.

Research/ˈriː.sɜːrtʃ/noun
A systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources.

Treatment/ˈtriːt.mənt/noun
The management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a disease.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What type of cells did the study focus on?
Neurons
Monocytes
Beta cells
Fibroblasts
What publication featured the study?
New York Times
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Nature
Scientific American
Which condition does the study suggest could help reduce cancer in mice?
Diabetes
Severe COVID-19
Heart disease
Hypertension
What effect did the drug similar to severe COVID infection have on the tumors in mice?
No effect
Made them grow
Made them smaller
Increased mutation rate
Which special kind of monocyte was generated in response to severe COVID-19?
M1 monocytes
M2 monocytes
M3 monocytes
M4 monocytes
What could be a potential outcome of this research according to the information provided?
Development of new antibiotics
A cure for the common cold
New treatments for cancer
Elimination of all infectious diseases
Severe COVID-19 had no effect on monocyte function.
Monocytes can protect tumor cells in cancer patients.
People are encouraged to try to catch COVID-19 in order to reduce cancer.
The drug had a negative impact on the size of tumors in mice.
The study suggests that the findings may influence cancer treatment strategies.
The research provides a definitive cure for all types of cancer.
Severe COVID-19 helps the body make a special kind of that can fight both the virus and cancer cells.
The drug given to the mice acted similarly to a severe COVID infection, resulting in smaller tumors in the mice with different types of advanced .
This new way to fight cancer could benefit individuals who do not respond to current .
It is crucial for people not to seek out severe COVID-19 as it can be very .
The study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may pave the way for innovative treatments for cancer in the .
The researchers found that severe COVID-19 helps the body make a special kind of monocyte that can combat both the virus and cancer .
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Monocytes/ˈmoʊ.nə.saɪts/noun
A type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune response.
Tumor/ˈtuː.mər/noun
An abnormal mass of tissue that can be benign or malignant.
Severe/sɪˈvɪr/adjective
Of a serious or critical nature; very intense.
Infection/ɪnˈfɛkʃən/noun
The process of being infected with a disease-causing organism.
Research/ˈriː.sɜːrtʃ/noun
A systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources.
Treatment/ˈtriːt.mənt/noun
The management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a disease.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What type of cells did the study focus on?
Neurons
Monocytes
Beta cells
Fibroblasts
What publication featured the study?
New York Times
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Nature
Scientific American
Which condition does the study suggest could help reduce cancer in mice?
Diabetes
Severe COVID-19
Heart disease
Hypertension
What effect did the drug similar to severe COVID infection have on the tumors in mice?
No effect
Made them grow
Made them smaller
Increased mutation rate
Which special kind of monocyte was generated in response to severe COVID-19?
M1 monocytes
M2 monocytes
M3 monocytes
M4 monocytes
What could be a potential outcome of this research according to the information provided?
Development of new antibiotics
A cure for the common cold
New treatments for cancer
Elimination of all infectious diseases
Severe COVID-19 had no effect on monocyte function.
Monocytes can protect tumor cells in cancer patients.
People are encouraged to try to catch COVID-19 in order to reduce cancer.
The drug had a negative impact on the size of tumors in mice.
The study suggests that the findings may influence cancer treatment strategies.
The research provides a definitive cure for all types of cancer.
Severe COVID-19 helps the body make a special kind of that can fight both the virus and cancer cells.
The drug given to the mice acted similarly to a severe COVID infection, resulting in smaller tumors in the mice with different types of advanced .
This new way to fight cancer could benefit individuals who do not respond to current .
It is crucial for people not to seek out severe COVID-19 as it can be very .
The study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may pave the way for innovative treatments for cancer in the .
The researchers found that severe COVID-19 helps the body make a special kind of monocyte that can combat both the virus and cancer .
This question is required

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