Reversing NK Cell Dysfunction in Pediatric Cancer

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Natural Killer (NK) cells are immune cells in our body, which can kill cancer cells. Cancer cells often escape from NK cells mostly due to insufficient number and low activity of NK cells in cancer patients. Transforming Growth Factor beta is a protein produced by cancer cells, which make NK cells less active. We will study the role played by this protein in suppressing NK cell activity in pediatric AML patients and use methods to neutralize Transforming Growth Factor beta to enhance NK cell activity and thus develop better treatment for pediatric AML.