THE POTENTIAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY
Modulation of the immune system has the potential to help the body to attack cancer cells – the principle behind immunotherapy. Some tumours, such as malignant melanoma, are capable of eliciting an immune
response and are candidates for immunotherapy research [1, 2].
UNDERSTANDING T-CELLS
The immune system is under close regulatory control and T-cells have a crucial role in the immune response [3]. One of the keys to unlocking the potential of immunotherapy is to understand the complexities of
T-cell regulation. Potential targets for immunotherapy include CD-137 [4], PD-1 [5] and CTLA-4 [6] receptors on T-cells and the CD-40 receptor [7] on antigen-presenting cells.
CTLA-4 – A TARGET FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY RESEARCH
CTLA-4, a receptor expressed on the surface of activated T-cells, is a negative regulator of the T-cell response [8]. It inhibits production of the costimulatory signal required for T-cell activation and proliferation,
thus placing a brake on the T-cell response. Blockading CTLA-4 has the potential to remove the brake on T-cell activation, thus enhancing the T-cell response to tumour cells [8].
This is one area of clinical research that Bristol-Myers Squibb is currently exploring to help improve clinical outcomes in oncology.
Source:http://www.ecco-org.eu/binarydata.aspx type=doc/Advance_ProgrammeLR_complete_4_03_2009.pdf
New Insights are Coming to Light!!!!
Take Care,
Jimmy B
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