Unmasking Cancer Cells

Another potential breakthrough in cancer treatment involves an antibody to a cell surface marker called CD47. This protein normally serves as a cloaking device for healthy cells to keep the immune system from attacking. Cancer cells take advantage of this marker and make the protein in high levels. As a result, these abnormal cells frequently escape detection by the immune system. A group of Stanford researchers has created an antibody to CD47 that unmasks most kinds of cancer cells. Once revealed, the immune system recognizes them for what they are and attacks. The research so far has been restricted to cell cultures and mice. The results are so promising, however, that human safety studies will be started soon.
[PNAS, online, March 26, 2012]