New antibody strategy enhances the performance of cancer immunotherapy

Stimulating T-cells with a new antibody that destroyed a subtype of solid ovarian cancer or polycystic ovarian hormone receptor-negative type 2 (OC-HR-N2) boosted tumor protection in an animal model. The antibody was co-developed by a research team led by Kunming Ren and Qun Bill Yingyi from the department of international affairs and health. The research team aimed to improve the potential of cancer immunotherapy by bypassing the need to use antibodies which do not work against cancer cells yet.

Polycystic ovarian hormone receptor-negative ovarian cancer is a rare cancer linked to increased production of the hormone progestin which is required for normal ovarian function. When progestin supply is incomplete or abnormal the progestin production decreases impairing normal ovarian functioning. Current treatment strategies of ovarian cancer survivors are limited leaving them at risk of developing hormone-receptor-negative types of cancer.