Animal model research from MSK has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.

Immunologist Joseph Sun is an investigator in the Sloan Kettering Institute’s Immunology Program. Dr. Sun’s research is focused on natural killer cells, a part of what is called the innate immune system.

A lesser-known immune cell is suddenly getting more attention in the field of cancer immunology.