Dubai, June 19 -- Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a new immunotherapy target, a cryptic antigen, may be key in helping the immune system fight tumors in ovarian cancer. The study, published in Science Advances, could improve treatment approaches for this type of cancer.

Because ovarian cancer has limited symptoms, it can go undetected until it has spread. At a later stage, it becomes challenging to treat and has had limited success from existing immunotherapies and checkpoint inhibitors.

Cryptic antigens are part of a protein - known as epitopes - that are usually hidden or inaccessible to the immune system and may be present in tumor cells. By targeting these antigens, the immune system can be effectively mobilized to attack th...