A Specific Amino Acid Improves Immune Response Against Cancer

An amino acid called L-arginine may help fight cancer. In a new study, researchers found that L-arginine, an amino acid that is consumed through diet, boosts the activity of T cells—immune cells that play a crucial role in the defense against viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. The investigators found that when levels of L-arginine increased, T-cells survived longer and were more effective at fighting tumors. They conclude that their finding may lead to improved cellular immunotherapies. Cell, October 2016