Overview

• Researchers at Lund University identified SLAMF6 as a surface protein present on AML stem cells but absent on healthy blood stem cells.
• CRISPR/Cas9 experiments showed SLAMF6 enables leukemia cells to evade detection by T cells.
• A laboratory-developed antibody, created with SciLifeLab support, restored T-cell killing of AML cells in vitro and in mice, including models using human cells transplanted into mice.
• The peer-reviewed findings were published October 3, 2025, in Nature Cancer, and the authors emphasize that further preclinical work and clinical trials are required.
• The team has launched a spin-off, Lead Biologics, to advance the antibody, with relevant conflicts of interest disclosed by study authors.