Coley's drug was supposed to cause immune system cells to attack cancer cells by turning on TLRs.

FORBES: Pfizer Stops Developing Coley Cancer Drug

TLRs tend to prompt the immune system to respond to infectious agents like bacteria and viruses - not allergens.

BBC: Immune system 'fights allergies'

TLRs are known to activate NF-Kappa B which relays on their instructions to lead to a cascade of events.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Immunity clue to premature births

It may be that blocking NF-Kappa B is a better way to tackle the problem than blocking the TLRs.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Immunity clue to premature births

Coley's technology takes aim at toll-like receptors (TLRs), detectors on immune system cells that pick up invaders and bad actors in the body.

FORBES: Pfizer Stops Developing Coley Cancer Drug

Dr Ian Sabroe, is a chest physician at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, who has been looking at the role of TLRs in infections and controlling allergies.

BBC: Immune system 'fights allergies'

Mr Dilly Anumba, a consultant obstetrician at Sheffield University who has recently published work showing that TLRs are present in the female genital tract, said Professor Bennett's theories were logical and well worth pursuing.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Immunity clue to premature births