Watch: Immune Cells Caught on Video Eating Live Skin Cancer Cells

Researchers used real-time imaging to show CD169-positive macrophages in the skin surrounding melanoma actively engulfing live cancer cells in mice.

Similar macrophages were also found in human melanoma samples, suggesting the mechanism may be relevant in patients.

The finding reveals a previously underappreciated immune response that could help make resistant tumors more responsive to immunotherapy.

It may offer a new path to improve outcomes for patients who do not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors.