A multinational collaboration has uncovered a potential explanation for why some cancer patients receiving a type of immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors experience increased susceptibility to common infections.
A multinational collaboration co-led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has uncovered a potential explanation for why some cancer patients receiving a type of immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors experience increased susceptibility to common infections.
"Our findings indicate that while checkpoint inhibitors boost anti-cancer immunity, they can also handicap B cells, which are the cells of the immune system that produce antibodies to protect against common infections. This understanding is a critical first step in understanding and reducing the side effects of this cancer treatment on immunity."The researchers focused on the molecule PD-1, which acts as a 'handbrake' on the immune system, preventing overactivation of T cells.
Professor Tangye adds:"This dampening of the generation and quality of memory B cells could explain the increased rates of infection reported in patients with cancer receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy." "One potential preventative solution is immunoglobulin replacement therapy , an existing treatment used to replace missing antibodies in patients with immunodeficiencies, which could be considered as a preventative measure for cancer patients at higher risk of infections," she says.
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