City of Hope drug development (IMAGE) City of Hope Caption Type II interferon (IFNy), a substance produced by immune cells, disrupts the leukemia stem cells’ ability to divide and spread cancer. However, IFNy also stimulates CD38, a protein that suppresses the immune cells’ ability to mount a response against infection. To overcome this challenge, City of Hope researchers designed a T cell engager antibody called CD38-BIONIC that creates a bridge between the T cells and the leukemia stem cells expressing CD38, enabling the immune system to kill off the cancer cells. Credit John Williams, Ph.D., Lab / City of Hope Usage Restrictions Please use photo credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.