Yale Scientists Identify Immune Cells Critical for Immunologic Memory for Melanoma
Source: News Wise, July 2023
Newswise — Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have become the standard of care for patients with advanced melanoma to improve survival, but only some patients respond to this immunotherapy and have long-term benefits. The lack of a long-lasting response, researchers say, is related to failure of antitumor immunologic memory. Treatment options for advanced melanoma are limited for patients who do not respond to this type of therapy.
A new study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers at Yale School of Medicine reveals that a specific population of CD8+ T-cells marked by IL-7R play an important role in better understanding anti-tumor memory. These immune cells also offer potential new therapeutic strategies using epigenetic therapies that often reduced tumor size.
The new research was published in the of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on July 17.