Have Reserachers Found The Trigger For Melanoma Growth?

According to a new study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the growth of the deadly skin cancer melanoma may be triggered by the immune system turning on itself! Researchers found that the tumor cells somehow use a component of the immune system itself (called interferon gamma) to turn on a specific molecule in melanoma tumors called B7-H1. B7-H1 is an immune-inhibiting molecule that is able to suppress the body's immune surveillance system and potentially allow for tumor growth.