The secret reason some cancer treatments stop working
Researchers have identified a molecule called SLAMF6 that allows cancer cells to evade the immune system by suppressing T cell activity. The team has developed new monoclonal antibodies that block this molecule, potentially offering a new treatment path for patients resistant to current immunotherapies.
Why it matters
This discovery could lead to more effective cancer treatments for patients who do not respond to existing PD1 or PDL1 inhibitor therapies.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown mechanism that may be helping cancers evade the immune system. The discovery centers on SLAMF6, a molecule found on the surface of immune cells that can prevent T cells from mounting a strong attack against tumors. In experiments involving mice, researchers also developed a way to block its activity.
The report is a straightforward summary of scientific research published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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