Research into immunotherapy

Our immune system is able to recognize tumors. Tumors are recognizable due to the presence of antigens - little "flags" on the surface. The immune system recognizes them as foreign to the body. Unfortunately, the cancer cells defend themselves against these immune cells, but we are improving the ways in which we can destroy these defenses. This treatment is currently available for ovarian cancer as part of a trial. We are able to teach the body's own immune cells to recognize antigens and clean up the foreign cancer cells. This type of immunotherapy is used in trials with increasing frequency.