For decades, T cells have been known as key players in the adaptive immune system that eliminate abnormal cells via cytotoxicity at the immunological synapse, while phagocytosis—the process of engulfing and destroying foreign or abnormal cells—was thought to be exclusive to professional phagocytes like macrophages and dendritic cells. Now, a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Ning (Jenny) Jiang from the University of Pennsylvania has overturned this long-held belief, revealing that T cells can perform antigen-specific phagocytosis directly through TCR-pMHC (T cell receptor-peptide major histocompatibility complex) recognition. The research, published in the open-access journal Mechanobiology in Medicine, not only expands the functional repertoire of T cells but also paves the way for innovative T cell-based immunotherapies, especially for solid tumors that currently pose major challenges to treatment.

Sylvester Cancer's March tip sheet contains a variety of cancer-related story ideas including colorectal cancer prevention, exercise during chemotherapy for breast cancer, colorectal and pancreatic cancer immunotherapy research awards, the 2026 Dolphins Cancer Challenge and more.

An imaging test could safely halve the number of people who need a biopsy for suspected prostate cancer following inconclusive or reassuring results from an MRI scan, new research has found.