Cancer biologists bring in the B-cell reinforcements for immunotherapy
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, according to a 2026 Cancer Research Institute report. Cancer biologists are keenly aware of this statistic, as it drives innovations that revolutionize cancer care—innovations like immunotherapy. Immunotherapy fights cancer using the body's own immune system, often by boosting the performance of specialized adaptive immune cells…
Cancer biologists are exploring the potential of B cells to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating cancer. While T cells have been the focus of immunotherapy, not all patients respond well to standard-of-care T cell immunotherapies. Salk Institute scientist Daniel Hollern and his team have discovered that B cells play a crucial role in promoting T cell antitumor activity.
Their study, published in Cell Reports, shows that B cells can regulate killer T cell function, prompting these cells into tumors, organize them, and enhance their cytotoxic function. This new understanding of B cells' role in cancer immunotherapy could revolutionize cancer care, providing a more effective treatment option for patients who do not respond to traditional therapies.
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