by A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research sheds light on the crucial role natural killer (NK) lymphocytes play in the immune response against the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute have discovered that the presence of NK lymphocytes around tumors indicates a better response to treatment.
NK lymphocytes, known for their potent anti-tumoral properties, act as sentinels in the body. When these cells detect cancer cells, they alert the immune system and recruit other immune cells to join the fight against the tumor. This discovery paves the way for using cytokines secreted by NK cells as potential markers of response to treatment, which could be identified through a simple blood test.
The study, led by Dr. Aura Muntasell from the Immunity and Infection Research Group of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Ph.D. student Sara Santana, provides valuable insights into the use of NK lymphocytes to reinforce treatment in patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This research not only confirms the feasibility of using NK cells as markers of response but also opens up new avenues for developing more effective treatment strategies.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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