![Putting the Brakes on Cancer]()
Stimulation of the PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death-1) receptor on the surface of T cells puts the brakes on T cells’ immune response. Tumors manage to avoid T-cell attack by using their cell-surface proteins PD-L1 and PD-L2 to activate PD-1. Einstein researchers led by Steven C. Almo, Ph.D., and Chandan Guha, M.B.B.S, Ph.D., developed a PD-1 receptor variant that binds strongly to PD-L1 and PD-L2 tumor proteins, rendering them unable to bind PD-1 receptors on T cells. As described in the February 6 issue of EBioMedicine, using the PD-1 receptor variant combined with radiation therapy in a mouse model of lung cancer caused decreases in both tumor burden and tumor recurrence. Radiation therapy fragments tumor cells, releasing tumor proteins that stimulate the immune system much as a vaccine would. Dr. Almo is professor and chair of biochemistry, professor of physiology & biophysics, and Wollowick Family Foundation Chair in Multiple Sclerosis and Immunology. Dr. Guha is professor and vice chair of radiation oncology.
Posted on: Friday, March 17, 2017