Antibody helps kill cancer cells

New York, May 21: Researchers have found that an antibody developed first to study multiple sclerosis is to promote cancer's ability to fight cancer and reduce tumor growth. In a study published in Journal Science Immunology magazine, the tumor has decreased tumor in the melanoma (skin cancer), glioblastoma (brain cancer) and colorectal cancer models, making it an attractive candidate for cancer immunotherapy. 

The Anti body system specifies the immune system of T cells to kill cancer cells. T cells (Tregs) which help maintain the immune system's tolerance of "self," can, inadvertently, promote cancer's growth by preventing the body's immune system from detecting and attacking cancer cells.  The researchers, led by neurologist Howard Weiner from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found that they could precisely target Tregs using an antibody.

The team developed these so-called anti-LAP antibodies initially to investigate the development of multiple sclerosis, but realised their work had implications for the study of cancer. In the current study, the team used preclinical models to investigate how well anti-LAP antibodies could work in blocking the essential mechanisms of Tregs and restoring the immune system's ability to fight cancer. They found that anti-LAP acts on multiple cell populations to promote the immune system's ability to fight cancer, including increasing the activity of certain types of T cells and enhancing immune memory.

"In addition to studying its therapeutic effect, LAP anti-antibody we wanted to explain the mechanism that can activate the immune system," said Galina Gabriley, a scientist at Weiner's laboratory. "We have found that we can affect many of the immune system's weapons," Gabriely said.