CRL researchers identify a new approach to cancer immunotherapy

March 16th, 2015

David Raulet’s lab, affiliated with the UC Berkeley Cancer Research Laboratory, has published a new paper in Science.

The new research, published online on March 5, suggests a new approach to cancer immunotherapy, and pertains to a special class of immune cells called Natural Killer cells.  These cells normally patrol the body, seeking out abnormal cells – including tumor cells – for destruction.  However, in many cases, tumor cells appear to evade recognition and destruction by Natural Killer cells.  The new research suggests a mechanism explaining why Natural Killer cells are sometimes rendered ineffective, and even more excitingly, suggests a therapeutic approach for re-awakening them to attack tumors.  Read more here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25745066