What is immunity?
The immune system is a host defense system that protects the body against foreign invaders, such as viral and bacterial pathogens, and plays a role in cancer prevention by eliminating mutated cells before they become tumors. It is a complex system that can be dividing into two collaborative arms:
Innate immunity
- The innate immune system represents the first barrier of the immune system. It mounts the first response to a pathological threat and subsequently helps with the mobilization of the second arm of the immune system: the adaptive immunity.
- Innate Pharma has occupied a unique position in this field. Innate scientists have published research in multiple scientific journals, highlighting our expertise in NK cell modulation and commitment to the highest quality science (see our publications).
Adaptive immunity
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The adaptive immune system is part of the second wave of the immune response, in which T-cells and B-cells, recognizing specific pathogenic antigens, rapidly expand and eliminate infection or mutated cells. The adaptive immunity generates “memory” which allows a faster response to a secondary infection.
NK cells
As part of the innate immune system, NK cells are involved in the body’s first defense line. They have the ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. NK cells also produce cytokines and chemokines that shape a multicellular immune response involving dendritic cells and T cells, and ultimately lead to a long lasting immune control of tumors.
At Innate Pharma, we are developing antibody-based therapeutics that aim to harness NK cells to fight cancer. Learn more about our antibody formats.
Deep understanding of the immune system reaction against cancer
