"Double Life" of Key Immune Protein Reveals New Strategies for Treating Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases
The same findings also support experimental treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body, because stimulating the action of PD-1, as opposed to restricting it, can potentially block an overactive immune response.
- The same findings also support experimental treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body, because stimulating the action of PD-1, as opposed to restricting it, can potentially block an overactive immune response.
- The study results revolve around the body's immune system, which is primed to attack virally infected and cancerous cells while leaving normal cells alone.
- The immune system recognizes tumors as abnormal, but cancer cells can hijack checkpoints to turn off immune responses.
- At the same time, PD-1 signaling is slowed in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes, such that the action of unchecked immune cells creates inflammation that can damage tissues.