Researchers discover how cancer ‘invisibility cloak’ works

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how a lipid secreted by cancer tumors prevents the immune system from mounting an immune response against it. When lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) binds to killer T cells, it acts almost like an “invisibility cloak,” preventing T cells from recognizing and attacking nascent tumors.

“In recent years, several therapeutic medicines have been developed that spur a person’s own immune system to fight cancer,” said Raul Torres, PhD, professor of immunology at National Jewish Health, and senior author on the paper, published in the October issue of Cancer Immunology Research. “Our findings suggest new targets and strategies for enlisting the immune system’s help in fighting cancer.”