Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and the University of California San Diego have published findings in Cell Reports demonstrating a treatment approach in mice that allowed more tumor-fighting cells to approach tumors, shifted the behavior of other immune cells to work against tumors, and made immunotherapy more effective. The research team also uncovered what cellular changes prompted the immune system to better pierce the tumors’ veil of immunosuppression.

Prior research had pointed to a culprit inside ovarian cancer cells that helped protect them from the immune system. Genetic mutations cause an overabundance of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein in more than three out of four cases of high grade serous ovarian cancer and is linked with reduced patient survival.