The Promise Of Cell Technologies In Immunotherapy

Evolutionarily, the immune system has adapted to distinguish between foreign or tumor antigens and the body's own cells. To prevent autoimmune reaction, T-lymphocytes carry on special PD-1 (programmed cell death-1) receptor, that verify foes before attacking them. Insidious cancer cells often express a ligand to this receptor - PD-L1, triggering intracellular mechanisms that block T-cells response. Inhibitors for this PD-1/PD-L1 and other (Opdivo, Keytruda, Yervoy) are being routinely used.