Protein the key to effective cancer treatment

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found ways to make treatments for bone marrow cancer more effective.

Drugs that modulate the immune system are called immunomodulators and help treat bone marrow cancer. The exact mechanisms and targets they use to enhance immune response or kill cancer cells have been largely unknown.

A new study into the the protein cereblon found a possible link between resistance to drugs that modulate the immune system and presence of cereblon. The researchers then found that lowering the level of cereblon allows the drugs to work properly.