NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[abeta]

protein called prosaposin

Cancers develop mechanisms to evade detection and subsequent killing by the immune system. One such strategy involves suppressing the presentation of tumor-associated antigens

is key for triggering immunity against tumors. Immune sentinels called dendritic cells (DCs) engulf dead cancer cells and use prosaposin to process tumor-derived antigens for subsequent display and activation of protective T lymphocytes.

Tumor growth results in the addition of complex sugar chains to prosaposin molecules in DCs, leading to prosaposin secretion and the depletion of lysosomal saposins.

Targeting tumor DCs with an engineered form of prosaposin enhances the antitumor immune response and improves tumor control. —Priscilla N. Kelly


https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg1955