The Institute of Cancer Research shared a post on LinkedIn:

“NEWS: Scientists have discovered the key features of immune B cells which make them successful at targeting tumours – the discovery could lead to personalised treatments for advanced Breast Cancer.

The research was led by a team from the ICR, the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. The study was largely funded by the ICR – which is both a charity and a research institute – and the Royal College of Physicians.

The researchers developed computational tool to predict which B cells are most likely to successfully detect and target cancer cells.

This could be used to develop personalised immunotherapy treatments to supercharge the immune system.

The team also discovered that the immune response is not limited to the site where a tumour initially appears B cells hunt down cancer at different sites around the body.

‘Currently there are very few immunotherapies that can be used to treat breast cancer. The computational tool we have developed will allow us to zoom in and identify the B cells that have recognised cancer cells, as well as the antibodies they are producing.This will allow us to develop anticancer antibody treatments similar to the ones the B cells produce, which can then be given as a personalised treatment to boost the immune system’s response against breast cancer that has spread.’ – Stephen John Sammut, first author of the study, published in Nature Immunology (Nature Portfolio).”

Additional information.
Source: The Institute of Cancer Research/LinkedIn

The Institute of Cancer Research is making the discoveries that defeat cancer. In addition to being one of the world’s most influential cancer research organisation, are also a postgraduate college and a charity.