Immunity against melanoma is only skin deep

(Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center find that unique immune cells, called resident memory T cells, do an outstanding job of preventing melanoma in patients who develop the autoimmune disease, vitiligo. Using mouse models, the study demonstrates for the first time that resident memory T cells are generated in response to a tumor, naturally as a result of autoimmune vitiligo, and serve a critical role in protecting against future tumors.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news