New Antibody Treatment Reawakens Immune System to Fight Cancer Cells

Israeli and American researchers have recently developed an antibody-based therapy that enhances the immune system’s natural ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells, as announced by the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) on Monday. This pioneering treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in stopping the spread of cancer cells, offering a novel approach in cancer immunotherapy.

The research team, led by WIS scientists, focused on a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer called triple-negative breast cancer. It was discovered that this type of cancer has developed a strategy to evade immune attacks by creating “molecular bridges.” These bridges, formed between immune cells in the tumour’s vicinity, hinder immune cells from effectively targeting the tumour, leading to immune suppression within the cancerous environment.

Experiments in mouse models have shown that by blocking these molecular bridges, the immune system is once again able to launch a strong attack on cancer cells, which suppresses tumour growth. The team clarified that while the cancerous cells themselves produce low levels of the protein CD84, which aids in the formation of these molecular bridges, they induce nearby immune cells to produce large amounts of CD84, effectively creating a barrier that obstructs an immune response. This barrier serves as a mechanism for tumour survival, making the immune cells within the tumour’s environment less capable of targeting the cancer cells effectively.

Additionally, the study revealed a correlation between the presence of CD84 in patient tumours and survival rates. Higher levels of CD84 were associated with shorter survival times, suggesting that the CD84 protein plays a key role in immune suppression. When experiments were conducted with genetically modified mice that lacked CD84, smaller tumour growth was observed, further indicating CD84’s role in hindering T cell activity within the immune system. This finding supports the potential of targeting CD84 as a therapeutic approach.

The antibody treatment, administered twice weekly to mice with breast cancer, led to notable results. In many cases, tumour growth was significantly slowed, and full recovery was even achieved in some instances. The antibody therapy specifically targets cells with higher CD84 levels, meaning healthy immune cells, which express this protein at much lower levels, remain unaffected. This selectivity minimizes potential harm to non-cancerous immune cells, making it a safer and more targeted therapy option.

Moreover, the study’s findings suggest that this antibody treatment could be extended to treat various cancer types. By focusing on the tumour microenvironment—rather than directly targeting the cancer cells—the approach leverages the body’s immune response to fight cancer. The therapy’s emphasis on disrupting the tumour’s molecular defense mechanisms allows the immune system to combat the disease more effectively.

The researchers believe that this treatment model, which concentrates on modifying the surrounding environment rather than the cancer cells themselves, holds promise for future cancer therapies across a range of tumour types. Further studies and trials will determine if similar immune responses can be observed in humans and assess the therapy’s long-term safety and effectiveness.

This advancement in cancer immunotherapy highlights the potential of targeting immune suppression mechanisms as a viable cancer treatment approach. If successfully adapted for human use, this antibody-based treatment could become an invaluable tool in improving survival rates and outcomes for patients battling aggressive forms of cancer.

Reference:

1. Ganapathy Sriram et al. ,The injury response to DNA damage in live tumor cells promotes antitumor immunity.Sci. Signal.14,eabc4764(2021).DOI:10.1126/scisignal.abc4764

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