Scientists discover potential immune system-based cancer treatment

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- A potentially effective new cancer treatment mechanism
utilizing the existing immune system has been developed by local researchers, the
government said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the Seoul National
University team led by Kang Chang-yuil has been able to maintain the potency of
invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, which play a key role in the body's
natural immunity process.
Kang, a professor of pharmacy and expert of immunology, used special anti-PD-1
and anti-PD-L1 antibodies to prevent the formation of PD-1 particles on the
surface of the iNKT cells, said the ministry. This prevents the killer cells from
losing their potency, making them suitable for use against malignant tumors.
The iNKT T cells belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes,
known to play a key role in cell-mediated immunity.
The killer cells and regular T-cells defend the body against cancer, but past
research aiming to keep it active for sustained periods of time had failed due
to PD-1 particle formation.
"The use of the antibodies in conjunction with the ligand material has been shown
to keep the killer cells active," the researcher said. He added that this could
open new horizons to use the iNKTs to find more effective cancer treatments.
The ministry, which funded the research, said the findings were published in the
"Cutting Edge" section of the latest issue of the international Journal of
Immunology.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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