Study reveals how STAT3 enhances immune recognition of leukemic cells, shedding light on potential immunotherapies for AML.
- Study at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems) reveals that the protein STAT3 influences the formation of surface structures on leukemic cells, making them vulnerable to the immune system.
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common form of leukemia, especially in older adults, with a high relapse rate despite treatment options.
- Researchers show that STAT3 improves the elimination of leukemic cells by natural killer (NK) cells through an interaction with surface structures called ICAM-1.
- STAT3 and ICAM-1 correlated positively in leukemic cells of patients with AML, suggesting that higher ICAM-1 expression may lead to more efficient elimination of cancer cells by NK cells.
- Understanding how AML cells evade the immune defense may lead to the development of immunotherapies using STAT3/ICAM-1 as potential biomarkers for personalized treatment.
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Oncology, Immunology, Leukemia