Two New Studies Show How Immunotherapies Collaborate to Boost T Cell Responses in Melanoma

Two studies published in the latest issue of the journal Cell by University of Pittsburgh researchers uncover how immunotherapies targeting the immune checkpoints PD1 and LAG3 work together to activate immune responses. The findings shed light on why combination therapies targeting both checkpoints can improve outcomes for melanoma patients compared to monotherapies targeting only PD1.

Dr. Dario A. A. Vignali, chair and distinguished professor of the Department of Immunology at Pitt, was senior author on two of the papers. Other collaborators included Dr. John Kirkwood, distinguished service professor of medicine at Pitt and director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Dr. Tullia Bruno, assistant professor of immunology at Pitt, and lead author Dr. Anthony Cillo, assistant professor of immunology at Pitt. 

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