They could lead to cures but it will take a decade or more to play out.

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The immune system activator interleukin-2 helps 15% of advanced melanoma cases and cures a few, but it produces such devastating side effects that patients must be hospitalized.

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Biotechnology research promises to find cures for diseases, but it could also lead to people crafting real viruses the way teenagers create computer viruses now, Friedman says.

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It might feel that we are helpless when it comes to creating new cures, but things are starting to change.

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Globally Roche is huge in cancer therapies, but it leads in many tiny markets, too, like avian flu cures.

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