Cancer has been described as “a wound that does not heal,” implying that the immune system is unable to wipe out invading tumor cells. A new discovery confirms that a key molecule can reprogram immune cells that normally protect against infection and cancer, turning them into bad guys that promote cancer growth.
Studying the behavior of these “pro-tumor” immune cells is important because they could be targets for therapies that block their harmful activity, said Minsoo Kim, PhD, corresponding author of the study and a research leader at the Wilmot Cancer Institute.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published the discovery.
Studying the behavior of pro-tumor cells
Kim led a team of scientists investigating the dynamic interactions that occur between cells in the tumor environment, and the underlying factors that cause the harmful transformation of immune cells from good to bad.
They found that PAF (platelet-activating factor) is the key molecule that controls the destiny of the immune cells.
PAF not only recruits cancer-promoting cells, but it also suppresses the immune system’s ability to fight back. In addition, they found that multiple cancers rely of the same PAF signals.
“This is what could be most significant,” said Kim, a Dean’s professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Because if we find a treatment that could interfere with PAF, it could potentially apply to many types of cancer.”
Protected from the immune system
Much of the team’s work focused on pancreatic cancer cells. It is one of the most deadly cancers, with a five-year survival rate of about 12 percent, and is notoriously hard to treat because pancreatic tumors are surrounded by a toxic stew of proteins and other tissues that protect the cancer from the immune system’s natural role to attack invaders. They also studied breast, ovarian, colorectal, and lung cancer cells, using advanced 3D imaging technology to watch the behavior of immune cells as they swarmed to the cancerous region.
Ankit Dahal, PhD, a member of Kim’s lab and a student in the UR Medical Scientist Training Program, designed the research project and wrote the journal article with Kim.
The National Institutes of Health funded the study.
Kim, who is director of tumor immunotherapy research at Wilmot, and co-leader of Wilmot’s Cancer Microenvironment research program, investigates several aspects of the immune system and cancer. He collaborates with many Wilmot members and leaders including Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD; Scott Gerber, PhD; and David Linehan, MD, the CEO of URMC; they all investigate pancreatic cancer. Kim also has a grant with clinician-scientist Patrick Reagan, MD, to study how to improve CAR T-cell immunotherapy, a powerful tool for treating blood cancers.
Supporting the immune system
Every day while you eat, sleep, work, and play, battles are being fought throughout your body. You rarely feel it. But bacteria, viruses, and other microbes are constantly invading from the outside world. Your body has a defense system against such invaders called the immune system.
Like other systems in your body, the immune system can begin to decline as you age. These changes can prevent immune cells from working to the best of their ability. You can support your immune system by eating a healthy diet, making time for regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough restful sleep, managing stress, going outside to soak in some sunshine, limiting alcohol intake, remembering to wash your hands, and not smoking.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This content was edited for style and length.
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This article was written by Leslie Orr at the University of Rochester Medical Center
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/research-how-the-immune-system-fails-as-cancer-arises
