After his passing, the late scientist’s research at the University of Virginia School of Medicine may yield groundbreaking treatments for various solid cancer tumors, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
Before his unexpected death in 2016, Dr. John Herr collaborated with Dr. Craig L. Slingluff Jr. of the UVA Cancer Center to explore the potential application of a discovery from Herr’s lab in cancer treatment. Nearly a decade of investigation has validated this concept: Herr’s study on the SAS1B protein could potentially lead to significant advancements in cancer therapy across multiple difficult-to-treat cancers. In a recent publication in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, Slingluff, who serves as a senior author alongside Herr, highlights the promising implications of this research.
Although initially focused on reproductive health, Herr’s research uncovered the presence of the SAS1B protein, primarily found in developing eggs, on the surface of various solid cancer cells. This unique characteristic suggests the possibility of employing antibody-based immunotherapy to target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue—a technique in which UVA Health specializes.
While acknowledging that further research is necessary, Slingluff and his team are optimistic about the potential of selectively targeting SAS1B to revolutionize cancer treatment, offering hope to patients with otherwise limited therapeutic options.
