Macrophages, much like Alice of “Alice in Wonderland,” recognize and consume tumor cells that display “eat me” surface markers. However, tumor cells can evade detection by macrophages if they successfully present “don’t eat me” signals. To counter this, researchers have developed drugs aimed at turning off these “don’t eat me” signals. However, such treatments haven’t been as effective as anticipated in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other blood cancers. To better understand why, a team of researchers from Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard looked at samples from patients treated for AML at Mass General Brigham. The team was led by Jooho Chung, MD, PhD, Mounica Vallurupalli, MD, Todd Golub, MD, and Robert Manguso, PhD.

Results from a phase 2 clinical trial designed and overseen by researchers at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute show that the investigational medication mezagitamab can effectively boost platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune disease characterized by elevated platelet destruction and reduced platelet production that increases bleeding risk and compromises quality of life.

Researchers from the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) and collaborators show that some lung cancers can change identity as they evolve, forming hybrid cell states and immune-protected regions that may help tumors evade treatment. The findings point to new opportunities for earlier detection and more precise therapies.