When the immune system promotes tumor growth

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) The immune system plays an important role in the prevention of cancer. So-called Natural killer cells are innate immune cells and responsible for the elimination of cancerous cells. Researchers from the Vetmeduni Vienna have now discovered that NK cells can switch and promote tumor growth, with STAT5 acting as the key regulator. Drugs targeting STAT5 may therefore boost tumor growth. The study was published in Cancer Discovery.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news