A new system for identifying hidden cancer cells

The immune system is a powerful fortress that generally does a good job of protecting us against external and internal threats. The problem is that cancer cells find a way around this protective force, but not for long. Scientists at Yale University have developed a system to make hard-to-locate cancer cells visible that would help the immune system identify and eliminate cancerous tumors missed by other forms of immunotherapy.

In the report published in the journal Nature Immunology, the researchers explain that the system they developed reduced or eliminated breast and pancreatic tumors in mice. Interestingly, this has been observed even in the case of tumors located at some distance from the primary source. According to Sidi Chen, assistant professor of genetics and lead author of the study, this is a new line of treatment.

Filling the gaps in conventional therapies

Cancer cells often come with a clever molecular disguise, which existing immunotherapy treatments miss. Therefore, Dr. Chen and his team developed a new system called Multiplexed Activation of Endogenous Genes as Immunotherapy (MAEGI), which works by searching thousands of cancer-related genes, pinpointing their location and amplifying the signals, a bit like a GPS. Thus, a cold tumor, that is to say a tumor without immune cells, turns into a hot tumor or a tumor with immune cells.

“Once these cells are identified, the immune system immediately recognizes them if they appear in the future,” says Chen, adding that in theory the new system would be effective against many types of cancer, including those resistant to cancer. immunotherapy. According to the researchers, further studies will prepare the system to simplify manufacturing and pave the way for clinical trials on patients.

Therapies that help the immune system identify cancer cells show promise, but they don’t work in all patients or on all types of cancer. The coordination of the different components of the immune system and their reaction to tumors has not yet been found. In fact, many cancer cells are killed by the treatment, but not all. These continue to grow and form a tumor. Therefore, different treatment combinations are prescribed. The problem is that there is no combination known to be infallible.

The unique challenges posed by cancer require the unification of experts from various fields to work for a common cause. By bringing together existing therapies and new therapies, the progression of cancer could be halted and millions of lives will be saved.