To avoid the immune system, melanoma breaks down the amino acid tryptophan, stopping cells from properly functioning, but the cancer cells are able to do so despite lacking tryptophan themselves.
The study will be conducted at multiple leading sites in the United States under a clinical collaboration with Roche, and is expected to attract 115 patients.
This new method allows scientists to draw finer distinctions between cell subtypes and activities, which may be crucial when it comes to fighting cancer.
The study focused on collecting information and samples from hospitalized COVID-19 patients to create a detailed profile of the immune response and to compare their different immune responses.
Patients will be ‘modified’ to better respond to immunotherapy drugs
The innovative therapy is based on the research of Prof. Dror Mevorach, a senior physician from Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital.
It could also spare patients from undue suffering, since immunotherapy treatments can trigger severe auto-immune reactions.