TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 4, 2024) — Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system attack cancer cells more effectively. One of the key proteins involved in this process is Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG3), which suppresses the antitumor immune response. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have made an important discovery about LAG3, revealing how it interacts with other proteins to control immune activity. Their study , published in Nature Communications , could lead to better cancer treatments by enhancing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Led by Vince Luca, Ph.D. , the Moffitt study provides a detailed blueprint of how LAG3 interacts with a molecule known as MHC class II. These interactions are critical because they help the immune system differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells. By blocking LAG3, immune checkpoint inhibitors can allow the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Key findings include:
“T his study represents a significant breakthrough in our understanding of LAG3,” said Luca, associate member of the Immunology Department . “The detailed molecular structure and mechanistic insights we’ve uncovered will help guide the development of next-generation immunotherapies. We’re excited to translate these discoveries into innovative therapies that could transform patient care. ”
This work is supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01AI140758, R01AI159678, P01AI120943, P30CA076292), the Florida Department of Health Bankhead Coley grant program (24B04) and the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program.
A bout Moffitt Cancer Center
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Nature
Experimental study
Animals
Structural basis for mouse LAG3 interactions with the MHC class II molecule I-Ab
29-Aug-2024
V.C.L. is a consultant on unrelated projects for Cellestia Biotech, Remunix, and Curie.Bio. The remaining authors have no competing interests.