Combination immunotherapy to attack solid tumors

Fallleaves

When an immune system is working properly, diseased cells are captured and killed. However, cancerous tumors are formed when the immune system is unable to remove these diseased cells. Using an "mTOR inhibitor," which regulates cellular metabolism, and a CD4 antibody, which helps to initiate an immune response, researchers increased the immune system's "memory" and ability to recognize and fight off tumors.

"With our approach, investigators simply combine an mTOR inhibitor and CD4 antibody to create an immunotherapy treatment, requiring no surgery and a drug with virtually no shelf life," said Robert Figlin, MD, deputy director of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and the Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology-Oncology. "This broad implication is in contrast to a more traditional vaccine-based approach, which requires a specialist to surgically remove tumor samples from a patient's body then create a personalized vaccine approach for one specific patient."

The combination of a CD4 antibody with an mTOR inhibitor may enhance immune memory and eradicate solid tumors. Additional research is being done to better understand how the drugs work and develop optimal strategies for applications in patients.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140312103145.htm