Researchers build new antibody to target cancer cells

A cancer-targeting antibody that helps the body’s immune cells spot and destroy hard-to-treat tumours such as triple-negative breast cancer has been developed by researchers. The University of Queensland’s Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes said the antibody recognises a unique part of the ROR1 protein, which is found on many aggressive cancers but rarely on healthy cells.

The research is published in Molecular Therapy.

Read the full article on UQ News.

An electron microscope image showing a tumour cell breaking up and dying (dark red and orange) after being attacked by a natural killer cell on left (red). (Photo credit: The University of Queensland. )

Collaboration and acknowledgements

UQ’s Frazer Institute is based at the Translational Research Institute.The project included contributions from UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation, the National Biologics Facility, Therapeutic Innovation Australia BASE mRNA Facility, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Mater Research Institute-UQ, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, and University of New England.This project would not have been possible without the philanthropic support of Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation, The Tie Dye Project, The Kids Cancer Project, Bricks & Smiles, Tour de Cure, Richie’s Rainbow Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and the PA Research Foundation.