Using the immune system as a defence against cancer
Research published in the British Journal of Cancer has found that a naturally occurring molecule and a component of the immune system that can successfully target and kill cancer cells, can also encourage immunity against cancer resurgence.
Several teams, led by Professor Livio Mallucci, from King’s discovered that β-galactoside-binding protein (βGBP), a naturally occurring molecule produced by immune cells can non-specifically target cancer cells, make them undergo cell death and through a stress response pathway make the cancer cells visible to the immune system to prompt an anti-cancer immune response that would secure protection against recurrences.
Major developments in anti-cancer therapies have taken place over the last decade, but as only a subset of patients responds to treatments, there is a need for further development. (More)
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