Hidden "Immune Organ" in Skull May Help Fight Brain Cancer

Scientists at WashU Medicine discovered lymph node-like immune structures in the skull bone marrow of mice that respond to brain cancer earlier than the rest of the immune system. Similar cells were found in human skulls; stimulating these areas with a gel containing three proteins helped mice reject tumors and live longer.

• Immune structures found for the first time in healthy skull bone marrow
• When these areas were suppressed, tumors grew faster and survival dropped
• Gel with three immune proteins under the skin enhanced tumor rejection
• Immune cells also found in human skull bone marrow