Cancer ResearchScientists Discover Hidden Immune Brake SLAMF6 That Lets Cancer Escape Treatment
Scientists at the University of Montreal have identified SLAMF6, a molecule on immune cells that acts as a hidden brake on the body's ability to fight cancer. Unlike most known immune suppressors that require tumor interaction, SLAMF6 activates on T cells independently, weakening their attack, reducing durable immune memory, and accelerating exhaustion. The team developed monoclonal antibodies that block SLAMF6, restoring T cell strength and producing strong anti-tumor responses in mice. Published in Nature, this discovery is especially promising for cancer patients who no longer respond to existing immunotherapies like PD1 and PDL1 inhibitors. Early clinical trials in humans are the next planned step.
