Swedish scientists found a way to make immunity fight blood cancer.

According to inkorr.com: Recently, researchers from Lund University (Sweden) discovered a new mechanism of cancer cell behavior. They found that the protein SLAMF6 helps cells avoid attacks from the immune system in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a very aggressive form of blood cancer, in which malignant cells rapidly spread in the bone marrow. Existing therapies, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, often prove to be insufficiently effective.

During the study, scientists analyzed proteins on the surface of cancer stem cells that interact with the surrounding environment. They identified the SLAMF6 protein, which is present only on the membranes of malignant cells.

The study showed that the SLAMF6 protein helps cancer cells avoid destruction by T-cells, which usually fight tumors. Blocking this protein may allow immune cells to effectively destroy the tumor again.

Preparation for clinical trials

The research team is currently refining an antibody that is supposed to block the activity of the SLAMF6 protein and is preparing to conduct clinical trials. This groundbreaking discovery may be a decisive step in developing new treatment methods for blood cancer that do not respond to existing therapies.

'It was almost like a reboot of the immune system and removing cancer cells' ability to hide,' explained one of the authors of the study, Karl Sanden.

Additionally, other scientists have found that physical activity can slow down the growth of cancer cells. During exercise, muscles release compounds that suppress the growth of oncological cells.

Thus, researchers from Lund University have discovered that the SLAMF6 protein plays an important role in allowing cancer cells to avoid attacks from the immune system in acute myeloid leukemia and are already working on creating an antibody to block it, preparing for clinical trials. This may be an important step in developing new treatment methods for cancer patients.