A recent study has revealed a surprising way in which cancer cells can evade the immune system, making treatments less effective. Published in Cancer Cell, the research highlights how a specific type of cancer cell death could actually promote tumor growth by disabling the immune system’s ability to attack the cancer.
The study, led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, focuses on a form of cell death known as necroptosis. This process was previously believed to help the immune system target cancer. However, the team discovered that when cancer cells undergo necroptosis, they release a molecule called interleukin-1α. This molecule creates an environment within the tumor that weakens the immune system’s response, preventing T cells from attacking the cancer cells.
“We originally thought necroptosis would help the immune system fight cancer, but it seems to have the opposite effect, actually aiding tumor growth,” said Brian Ruffell, Ph.D., an associate member of Moffitt’s Immuno-Oncology Program and lead author of the study.
The study also found that interleukin-1α is released when cancer cells respond to chemotherapy, which may help explain why some cancer treatments are less effective than expected. However, there is promising news: when researchers blocked interleukin-1α in animal models, they saw an improvement in the immune response, making chemotherapy and immunotherapy more effective.
“By blocking interleukin-1α, we could enhance the success of current cancer treatments,” said Ruffell. “This approach could also reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy, helping patients tolerate therapy better and respond more positively.”
Furthermore, the researchers found that lower levels of interleukin-1α are associated with better outcomes, especially in patients receiving chemotherapy. This suggests that interleukin-1α levels could be used as a marker to predict how well different cancer treatments might work for individual patients.
Related topics:
- Study Investigates Genetic Factors Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease Using Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins
- Researchers Aim To Create Noninvasive Tests For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Rice University Researchers Develop New Imaging Platform for Nanoscale Cellular Analysis
