Fred Hutch scientists have identified a subset of immune-calming T cells that show up in great numbers in head and neck cancers, but not in similar tissues inflamed by gum diseases. This odd group of T cells have somehow been tricked into protecting these solid tumors from immune assault, but now might be precisely targeted by drugs to lift that protective shield.
Solid tumors use type of T cell as shield against immune attack miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fred Hutch immunologist Dr. Jennifer Lund knows that regulatory T cells, or T-regs, have an outsized and underappreciated role maintaining health and fighting disease. Her work shows how T-regs contribute to immunity to viral infections like COVID-19, HIV, West Nile Virus, Zika and herpes. In fact, it all started with herpes.