British biotech company Etcembly has launched a new research study, aiming to discover new cancer therapy targets by examining the immune cells of cancer survivors. The study, called ETCh, will focus on how the immune systems of those who have survived cancer might hold the key to future treatments.
The study is recruiting volunteers aged 18-65, including cancer survivors, people currently living with cancer, and healthy individuals. Participants will donate small blood samples up to five times over a year and share information about their health.
The idea behind the research is that cancer survivors’ immune systems have been able to recognize and fight off cancer cells, something the study hopes to learn more about. Etcembly will analyze millions of immune cell receptors and antibodies from each participant to identify which parts of the immune system are playing a key role.
Nick Pumphrey, Chief Scientific Officer at Etcembly, explained, “By studying the immune response of cancer survivors, we can identify the components that helped them beat cancer. These discoveries could lead to new treatments for others.”
The study is using Etcembly’s AI platform to analyze the data, aiming to find molecules in tumors that the immune system targets. If successful, this could pave the way for new immunotherapy treatments that boost the body’s natural defenses against cancer.